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THE 



AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



OF 



ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



THE 



V 



AMERICAN HANDBOOK 



OF 



ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



BY 

THOMAS MEEHAN, 



GARDENER. 




PHILADELPHIA: 

LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, AND CO. 
1853. 



Entered according to the Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by 

LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO, AND CO., 

in the Office of the Clerk of the District Court of the United States 
in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 



y-" 



^^A^ 



TO 



OF 



JOHN BARTRAM, 



THE 



PATRIARCH 



OP 



AMERICAN ARBORICULTURE. 



1* 



ADVERTISEMENT. 



A SMALL work on tlie hardy ornamental 
trees in cultivation, has long been a desidera- 
tum. 

The literature of other countries is well 
represented in this respect ; the author offers 
the present volume as a small advance to- 
wards placing America in the same position. 

His original design was to bring out a small 
volume for the numerous admirers of the in- 
defatigable Botanist, Bartram, describing 
the trees now growing in his far-famed old 
botanic garden. After the notes were pre- 
pared for this object, he was induced bj the 
kind encouragement of his friends, and in the 
face of a great public want, to throw them 
into their present form. In order to make 



Vm ADVERTISEMENT. 

the work of standard accuracy, nothing has 
been admitted into the body of the work that 
has not been the result of the personal ex- 
perience of the author. No tree is described 
as being in cultivation which the author has 
not himself seen ; and in most cases, the reader 
is referred to the tree, with its height and 
dimensions, from which the description is 
taken. The Appendix at the end of the work 
contains principally those trees which, though 
in cultivation, are too small to form a correct 
estimate of their value in ornamental garden- 
ing. 

The work is offered solely as an aid in 
practical affairs, without any high pretension 
to its being a contribution to scientific litera- 
ture. Hence the arrangement is alphabetical 
and the descriptions are brief. The botani- 
cal characters are for the most part compiled 
from various authors. In the Pinacece^ 
Loudon has been principally consulted. The 
references to the natural orders are to those 



ADVERTISEMENT. IX 

as developed by Lindley in the " Vegetable 
Kingdom," on tbe system of Endlicher^ which 
is now generally followed by botanists. The 
rest of the work is entirely original. If any 
resemblance is observed between the author's 
remarks and the writings of others, it must 
be attributed to his earlier studies, which 
have become so blended with his observation 
and experience, as to make what perhaps 
properly belonged to others originally, now 
seem to him to be his own. 

The nomenclature is not probably what a 
scientific writer would adopt, no particular 
author being exclusively followed. In a 
work intended for extensive popular use, it 
was thought better to adhere to popular 
names ; and, as the names of the authors of 
both the generic and specific terms are given 
in full with each name, no confusion can 
arise on that score. 

Having said thus much of his work, the 
author would gladly lay down his pen. But 



X ADVERTISEMENT. 

he cannot rale out the claims of the public 
to know something of the man who presumes 
to offer rules for its guidance. He would 
briefly state that, reared from itifancy amongst 
extensive collections of trees, they became by 
circumstances as well as by taste the study 
and the hobby of his riper years. These 
advantages, together with a two years' study 
of trees in the celebrated gardens at Kew, 
with the subsequent practice of his know- 
ledge in many superior establishments, 
amongst which he would here enumerate 
Eosedale, the nursery of Kobert Buist; Bart- 
ram Botanic Gardens, now the property of A. 
M. Eastwick, Esq., and Springbrook, the 
country-seat of Caleb Cope, Esq., are, as he 
trusts, sufficient to induce him to appear with- 
out presumption before the public in an 
author's capacity. 

He would here farther return his thanks 
to his numerous friends for their kind assist- 
ance. Particularly to Dr. William Darling- 



ADVERTISEMENT. ' xi 

ton, of West Chester, at whose suggestion the 
work was originally begun. To A. M. East- 
wick, Esq., to whom not only the author, but 
the public at large are indebted for the zeal- 
ous care and watchful jealousy with which 
everything connected with the finest collec- 
tion of full-grown trees in the country is 
preserved; to Caleb Cope, Esq., the ex-Presi- 
dent of the Pennsylvania Horticultural So- 
ciety, he is also indebted for much valuable 
information and suggestions, as well as to 
Thomas P. James, Esq., Secretary of the same 
institution, Messrs. E. Buist, of Eosedale, and 
John Evans, of Kadnor. 

Philadelphia, September 23, 1853. 



■,-.'» 



■y-f 



INTRODUCTION. 



Trees are essential to an American liome. 
The frame building, tlie first pointer to tlie 
young mechanic in his arduous path towards 
an honorable independence, is imperfect with- 
out the idea of shade trees surrounding it. 
And when, as he proceeds onwards, pros- 
perity and plenty, smiling on his genius and 
on his talents, suggest the idea of a suburban 
residence, he dwells with pleasure on the 
vast variety of ornamental flowering trees, 
producing each month a succession of beauti- 
ful novelties, clothed with an endless variety of 
ever-changing foliage, administering equally 
shade and shelter for the body with food and 
enjoyment for the mind, which are pictured 
with it. Perhaps fortune has chosen him 
2 



XIV INTRODUCTION. 

one of her special favorites. He becomes a 

man of wealtli. Being a man of taste, en- 
's 

do wed with an active sympathy for the charms 
of nature ; alive to the keenest relish for land- 
scape beauties ; he has seen in his travels 
some of the fairest specimens of nature's 
handiwork in forest scenery, and resolved 
on forming a country-seat where he 

'' with unsparing hand, 



May cull the beauties of each land, 
And blend them in that favored spot," 

and aim at producing in one whole a pleasing 
picture of garden scenery, out of the mate- 
rials nature has scattered so bountifully in 
various parts of the world. 

To aid the mechanic in the choice of pro- 
per trees for his dwelling, and in their pro- 
per treatment ; to assist the active business 
man in most effectually embellishing his 
residence, and combining the most beautiful 
with the most useful, and to point out to the 



INTRODUCTION. XV 

retired citizen the principles by wliicli the 
most pleasing effects from trees can be derived, 
as well as the most successful modes of rear- 
ing, planting, and cultivating them, are not 
among the least aims of the author ; and are, 
as he believes, compatible with the original 
and main design, as already stated. 



HANDBOOK 



OF 



ORNAMENTAL TREES. 



I. OF PROPER SOIL. 

1. Each kind of tree lias a soil peculiarly 
its own. In that soil it will do better than 
any other tree. The subject, then, is one of 
some moment. 

2. Science may some day explain this with 
exactness; practice and experiment have 
taught us chiefly what we know so far. 
They have taught us that an oak, beautiful 
on our neighbor's clayey soil, would lan- 
guish in our light sandy loam ; and a pine 
on ours — "the envied of all beholders" — 
would be as equally uneasy on his stiff 
ground. We have been enabled to learn 
what trees are well adapted to certain soils — 
in what soil any given tree will do well. 

3 



26 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

3. This is of more importance to tlie man 
of small means, than to the man of fortune. 
The latter can have any tree he chooses, be- 
cause he can make the soil to suit. The 
other cannot afford the expense — he must 
select the tree that suits his soil. 

4. To illustrate the evil of inattention to 
soil, take the silver maples employed as shade 
trees in Philadelphia ; where they are more 
generally used than any other tree. You 
may find it in every situation, till you be- 
lieve that shade tree and silver maple are 
considered synonymous. For ground wet or 
dry, for soils light or heavy, it is all the 
same. Thus, it often finds itself in circum- 
stances every way unsuited to it. The 
leaves become small; the growth short and 
meagre; the trunk hide-bound, and the 
branches covered with mosses and lichens. 
They live and grow — perhaps for years — but 
never to satisfaction. Scores of such speci- 
mens may be seen at any time in our 
streets. The blame is too often thrown 
on the wrong source. The nurseryman is 
charged with selling bad trees, and the re- 
medy sought for in trees purchased from 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 27 

anotlier dealer, "wliicli also, in their turn, 
must follow them." 

5. The number of species and varieties is 
now so great, that a fine collection of trees 
may be had in even a piece of ground with 
one uniform soil. Variety is generally pleas- 
ing ; and the smallest lot might as well have 
its half-dozen trees of different kinds, as in 
one monotonous sameness. If one tree only 
be wanted, I prefer it to be different from 
one's neighbor's adjoining. In addition to 
the charm of variety, which is added to the 
pleasure of the shade, emulation has here an 
innocent outlet for its course, which will not 
fail to bring its gratifying reward. 

6. One objection to variety, so far as 
shade trees are concerned, is its cost. A 
nurseryman can afford to sell a quantity of 
one thing for less, than for small lots of dif- 
ferent ones. But, on reflection, few would 
be willing to forego the pleasure of that 
variety which is one of the charms of natu- 
ral beauty — one of the means by which we 
contrast that which is superior with that 
which is beneath — and rest satisfied with the 
only change brought by the seasons, and the 



28 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

only pleasure that brouglit by its shade, 
when a trifling cost in the original outlay 
will " add all these things unto them." The 
saving of a dollar in a gratification which is 
expected to last for life, is a consideration 
which will have little weight when duly 
reflected on. A little extra expense in a 
selection of trees, a little extra thought on 
appropriating each to its most proper soil, 
and a little extra care bestowed on their 
removal and replanting, will be amply repaid 
in the future beauty, variety, health, and 
luxuriousness of shade trees. 

II. ON THE CHOICE OF TREES. 

7. For shade trees it is considered advan- 
tageous to possess the property of trans- 
planting easily. This is a great reason why 
certain trees become so popular in some dis- 
tricts as to give them a character. But, in 
reality, there are no trees difficult to trans- 
plant. When the true principles of the ope- 
ration are imderstood, a beech may be trans- 
planted as easily as an ailanthus, or a sour- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 29 

gum as a maple. This I hope to make plain 
to the reader as we proceed. 

8. In choosing trees, prefer those raised 
in a nursery to those growing naturally in 
the woods. Most persons are aware of the 
difficulty of getting the latter to do well. A 
glance at the nature of roots will teach us 
the reason. There are two sets of roots to 
most trees, perhaps to all. One consists of 
fibres^ the sole office of which is to draw mat- 
ter from the soil for the use of the tree ; the 
other of true roots ^ which extend and keep 
the tree in its position, affording at the same 
time channels for the conveyance of the 
matter absorbed by the fibres. This distinc- 
tion must be well noted. Fibres, as I have 
repeatedly proved, are annual^ dying out 
after a season's service. New fibres make 
their appearance as the extending roots 
grow; and are, consequently, farther away 
from the collar of the tree in proportion to 
its age. 

9. The roots of trees have their peculiari- 
ties of divarication as well as the branches. 
Some trees grow erect, or horizontal, making 
few side shoots, and looking always sparse 

3* 



86 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

and tliin ; others branch and re-branch in 
every direction. So it is with their roots. 
The soiir-gnm throws out a few strong roots, 
scarcely making a single fork; while the 
linden throws out an abundance of rootlets 
in every direction. If we attempt to take 
lip a specimen of the former by the common 
practice, that is, by opening a trench but a 
few feet from the trunk, we find that though 
we may have a great many rootSj we have 
very few or no fibres. They are left with 
the roots in the ground, at their extremities. 
Such a tree is reduced to the condition of a 
mere cutting, and without the treatment pro- 
per for a cutting, cannot grow. Trees taken 
up by the same mode, that have an abund- 
ance of branching roots, are more likely to 
have fibres near the stem, and so succeed. 
This constitutes the chief difference between 
a tree that will "remove easily" and one 
which will not. 

10. It should be an early inquiry whether 
a tree proposed to be transplanted have the 
above-mentioned conditions of success or 
not. A tree from a nursery has been trans- 
planted when very young, perhaps several 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 81 

times. The repeated cuttings off of tlie 
young roots cause them to branch out nu- 
merously, attended, of course, by an abund- 
ance of fibres. That is exactly the tree for 
the planter. Trees from the woods will be 
in a worse case. Where they are particu- 
larly desired, there are two ways of pro- 
cedure. We may dig out a space two feet 
deep, at from four to six feet from the trunk 
of the tree, according to its size, which will 
cut all the roots to that depth. Immediately 
replace the earth, into which they will fibre. 
The following year the tree may be removed 
with safety. In the other case, the roots 
should be followed to their extremities, the 
fibres gathered together carefully, and rolled 
up with the roots towards the trunk of the 
tree, where they can be protected from in- 
jury. The ball of earth on which so much 
care is given to cultivate trees, is of little 
importance in this case. There being but 
few fibres at the base, the ball can be of slight 
service, while it materially adds to the ex- 
pense, and is actually a drawback by render- 
ing the tree more unmanageable. 

11. In these two modes of removal, sue- 



82 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

cess greatly depends upon tlie operator; a 
careful, persevering, determined hand, per- 
forms more, and with better results, than a 
hasty, undecided, and unpractical individual. 
The latter mode, in the right kind of hands, 
will give the most satisfaction in the end. 

III. ON RAISING TREES. 

12. For reasons already explained in the 
last section, trees are far better for the plant- 
er when raised artificially. Each tree's pe- 
culiar treatment will be noticed in another 
part ; here we may note a few generalities. 

13. Whenever it is convenient to raise 
trees from seeds, they will become most 
vigorous ; though, under favorable circum- 
stances, cutting layers or grafts, will some- 
times equal or excel. 

14. Many seeds lie two years in the ground 
before they grow. Anything that will assist 
the decomposition of their shells or outer 
cases, hastens their germination. Applica- 
tions of oxalic acid, or boiling water, have 
been found useful, as well as allowing the 
seed to lie in a heap and ferment ; or even 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 33 

by freezing them for a short time by packing 
them in ice. It is a fruitful field ; but few 
discoveries have been made in it. 

15. Trees of rapid growth should be trans- 
planted at the end of the first season. In 
other cases, they may remain two years in 
the seed-bed. 



IV. THE BEST SIZE FOR TRANSPLANTING. 

16. This is a much disputed point. There 
are many good reasons for preferring large 
trees. The man who has become superior 
to the active duties of business, through a 
long course of years, and desires to pass the 
remainder of his days in the peaceful retire- 
ment of a country-seat, cannot afford to wait 
till young trees grow up with their grateful 
shade. He will prefer large trees. Taken 
up properly (see par. 10), and at a proper 
season (par. 21), they will succeed perfectly, 
and the immediate object be gained. 

17. Such trees, however, never grow with 
much luxuriousness. Young thrifty trees, 
under favorable circumstances, equal them 
in a few years, and eventually go ahead. 



84 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Besides, there is great pleasure to be derived 
from watching each year's luxuriant growth. 
The gratification which immediate shade is 
calculated to afford, is more than balanced 
by the pride we feel in pointing to a thriving 
tree which, but a few years ago, we could 
have put into our coat pocket. 

18. Where trees have to be procured from 
a distance, or a nursery in general, young 
trees should always be preferred. The haste 
unavoidable in a nursery at the planting sea- 
son, is unfavorable to great care in lifting 
them ; while the readiness with which small 
trees can be taken up, and the facilities they 
afford for careful packing, is a powerful ar- 
gument in their favor. 

V. THE BEST SEASON TO PLANT. 

19. When the principles of successful 
planting are understood, trees can be removed 
at any time. A tree on being transplanted 
is, in some respects, in the condition of a 
cutting. Let us inquire, then, what are the 
principles of propagation ? 

20. Cuttings are taken generally from half 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 35 

ripened wood, are planted in light or sandy 
soil, and plunged in material a few degrees 
warmer than the atmosphere. Over the cut- 
tings bell-glasses are placed. These are the 
main points — variations being made to suit 
peculiarities of each kind. Now for the 
principles. Half-ripened wood contains the 
" descending sap," out of which roots are 
formed. Cuttings are " too young" when 
the sap has not been elaborated ; " too hard" 
when the descending current is feeble, or has 
ceased. The sandy soil admits air, which is 
essential to the formation of roots. Bottom 
heat excites the base of the cutting, encour- 
aging it to form roots before the top starts 
into active life. Bell-glasses prevent evapo- 
ration from the leaves and stems, checking 
their demand for nutriment till the roots are 
formed to supply them. Let us carry this 
illustration to our subject. 

21. In planting, the immediate object is to 
get a speedy formation of new roots or fibres. 
The best time to plant, then, will be when 
the earth is a few degrees warmer than the 
atmosphere, and when the elaborated sap is 



86 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

descending and active, and the tree itself 
least likely to snfifer from excessive evaj^ora- 
tion. That time is the autumn ; at the fall 
of the leaf. 

22. Autumn planting, however, has its dis- 
advantages. The soil is generally very dry 
and unmanageable. The tree comes up with 
difficulty, and the new fibres dry up as fast 
as they push. Another disadvantage is, if 
we wait till the fall rains have deeply pene- 
trated the soil, there is danger of having to 
leave the operation unfinished by frost. If 
the planting be not very extensive, it is much 
better for the tree to apply water when re- 
quisite, and have it done in the best time. 
The future health of the tree will repay the 
additional expense. 

23. Spring planting is most usually fol- 
lowed. The ground is so pliable, it seems 
to save so much labor, and the work can go 
right ahead to completion. This is all that 
can be said in its favor. 

24. Winter planting, or the " Frozen ball" 
system, is sometimes adopted. In the early 
part of the winter, a hole is prepared for the 
tree, and the tree itself prepared with "a 



OF OENAMENTAL TREES. 37 

ball" just ready for removal. "When the ball 
is frozen throngli, it is taken off to the spot 
prepared for it, suffered to thaw, and then 
the hole filled up. I do not approve of this 
system, having seen it fail on a very exten- 
sive scale. The frost and atmosphere to- 
gether, seem to act injuriously on the cut 
and exposed roots ; besides, as I have al- 
ready observed (par. 10), no amount of 
" ball" can compensate for a want of fibres. 

25. Though I lay down the rule that au- 
tumn planting is preferable under most cir- 
cumstances, it can be carried out in any sea- 
son of the year. I have planted in every 
month for experiment sake. The worst pe- 
riod is just after the tree has burst forth its 
leaves in spring. Success is more probable 
every succeeding month till the fall, when 
the most favorable period for the process has 
arrived. There is a regular ebb and flow, 
like the tides and the seasons, in the rise and 
fall of the sap. 

26. I will give one illustration to accom- 
pany the last paragraph. In one of my 
situations, a fine apricot-tree had to be trans- 
planted or destroyed, in the month of June, 

4 



38 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

to make way for some alterations in a car- 
riage house. The fruit was at the time as 
large as pigeons' eggs. The young shoots 
were cut back, as far as they seemed "watery," 
to check evaporation. The roots were wa- 
tered, and covered with damp mats as fast 
as they were exposed. It was taken out 
without the particle of a ball, planted at 
once, and finally well watered. Not a leaf 
withered. It was not watered again the 
whole season. The next spring it was a 
sheet of blossom, and had the curculio been 
well disposed, would have borne a splendid 
crop. 

VI. PRUNING. 

27. Is it necessary to cut back the branches 
of a tree on transplanting ? As much so as 
it may be necessary to cut off a man's limb 
to save his life. In either case, it is a neces- 
sity upon which the operator might well 
ponder, and hesitate to act. 

28. If fall planting be adopted, the elabo- 
rated sap, contained in every branch, will 
assist in the formation of roots. As there is 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 39 

little or no evaporation from tlie tree in tlie 
winter season, the branches can do no harm 
any way ; and by the spring, the tree will 
have made roots to serve them. 

29. In spring planting also, if the roots 
have an abundance of fibres, cut nothing 
away ; they can support all. If otherwise, 
pruning must be resorted to, or the sap will 
be dried out of them before the tree can 
raise a necessary supply. 

30. The whole question is reduced to one 
of evaporation. If there be fibres enough 
to sustain great evaporation, the less cut the 
better. 

VII. THE OPERATION OF TRANSPLANTING. 

31. The common mode of planting is to 
dig out a hole, stick in a tree, and leave the 
rest to nature. This is not care enough. A 
tree will repay reasonable attention. 

32. In preparing a piece of ground for 
planting, few operations are more beneficial 
than draining. Some trees, certainly, thrive 
in swamps ; but these are little employed, 



40 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

and comprise but a small section of orna- 
mental trees. 

The majority thrive best in well-drained 
soil. I know of no soil, except those on 
sandy or gravelly substrata, not improved by 
draining. 

It frequently renders a poor soil perma- 
nently fertile. By an underdrain a channel 
is opened beneath the surface, which draws 
down the rain, bringing with it the various 
gases mixed with it, as well as the many fer- 
tilizing ingredients always found at the sur- 
face, all of which would otherwise have been 
washed away to the nearest stream. A piece 
of groimd well supplied with underdrains, 
from the great quantity of air-spaces the 
draught of water through it occasions, is 
always moist without the possibility of be- 
coming soured by saturation. So much do 
I value draining as a means of highly and 
permanently improving land for trees, that 
were I offered a thousand dollars for manure, 
or five hundred to be expended in draining, 
previously to planting a piece of ground, I 
would unhesitatingly choose the latter. If 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 41 

well executed, the most substantial and last- 
ing benefit would ensue. 

83. In some cases, natural causes prevent 
draining, or the piece of ground would not 
warrant the outlay; the expense being 
greater than the corresponding advantages. 
In such cases, if the ground be very wet, I 
would plant on the surface instead of below 
it. I have described my practice in this re- 
spect in the Horticulturist, for 1849. The 
ground is first trenched, or dug deep, the 
tree placed on the desired spot, and the earth 
spread over the roots ; the whole, when 
finished, mound-like. The appearance of 
trees thus planted is objectionable. The 
ground appears to an observer to have been 
lowered, the trees indicating the original 
height. Such appearances detract from that 
natural looking beauty a garden ought to 
exhibit. The mode can only be tolerated 
where the ground cannot be drained. 

Bad as its appearance is, it is preferable to 

seeing trees planted in holes which, in reality, 

become wells of stagnant water, with their 

tenants rotten at the roots, their trunk the 

sport of every passing breeze. 

4.^ 



42 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

84. One of tlie commonest errors is deep 
planting. The fibres or feeding roots of a 
tree, cannot exist long far beneath the sur- 
face. Abstracting a portion of their supplies 
from the atmosphere, they must be contigu- 
ous to it. I have seen peaches, maples, and 
elms, killed in six months by having the 
soil about them raised fifteen inches. Those 
who delight in seeing how nature works, 
may look at any old forest, where the fibre- 
bearing roots cover the surface like railroads 
on a modern map. The tap roots only, 
bearing no fibres, and evidently acting solely 
as supports to the tree, penetrate far into the 
soil. 

85. A fear of the tree blowing over, or 
becoming parched in summer, is a common 
motive for deep planting. A tree planted 
with long roots (par. 10) will never blow 
over ; the weight of soil on the roots keep- 
ing them in their position. 

When otherwise planted, they should be 
securely staked ; and if liable to parch, the 
soil ought to be covered with short grass or 
other substance, as a mulching. If, however, 
the principles of planting, as I have explained 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 43 

them, are understood and attended to, there 
will seldom be occasion for one or the other. 



VIII. ON" THE SELECTION OF KINDS OF -TREES. 

36. Firstly, we have to consider what the 
tree is wanted for; whether for shade, for 
ornament, or both combined; for utility or 
beauty ; whether a rapid growth be desired, 
or the highest effects of the art without re- 
ference to time; whether they are to be 
planted singly, or together in masses? 

87. A shade tree should have a widely 
spreading head, abundant leaves, or dense 
foliage. It should bud forth early in spring, 
and retain its leaves late in autumn. It 
should also be free from unpleasant odors, 
and liability to attacks of disease or insects. 
All fruit-trees are objectionable. Who would 
choose a Lombardy poplar for a shade tree ? 
The honey-locust has too fine a foliage. The 
odor of the ailanthus is unpleasant. The 
Kentiicky coffee buds late, and the American 
buttonwood is too unhealthy. Still, there is 
great scope for variety. Fine selections can 
be made from amongst the horse-chestnuts 



44 * AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

and buckeyes, maples, some birdies, ashes, 
tulip-tree, magnolias, liop horn-bean, Eng- 
lish buttonwood, the oaks, sweet-chestnut, 
sophora, and in some parts or situations, 
lindens and willows. 

88. But it is by no means in the ma- 
jority of cases that trees are planted for the 
mere luxury of the shade they afford, or 
their utility in screening disagreeable ob- 
jects. They are valued for the effect they 
have on the landscape; the beauty they ex- 
hibit in their forms; the cheerfulness that 
dwells in their foliage ; the gayety that bursts 
from their opening blossoms, charms; and 
the contrasts they make with each other, 
please. To these, if they combine harmony 
with surrounding objects, expression of the 
artist's ideas, or association with classic his- 
tory, or remarkable occurrences, they afford 
additional interest. These are points which 
few can master thoroiighly, without long and 
careful study. Yet, on the perfection of this 
knowledge, depends the production of the 
most pleasing effects from ornamental arbori- 
culture. 

89. The effect to be produced by trees, 



OF OENAMENTAL TREES. 45 

should be particularly well studied. The 
object must never be lost sight of. Pleasure, 
in its broadest sense, is generally a main 
object ; this is always to be derived from a 
perception of the beautiful. Unity, harmo- 
ny, and appropriate fitness, are the essential 
elements of beauty ; to these, then, must the 
planter's efforts turn. 

40. The relation or fitness of a tree to the 
subject in connection with it, will be one of 
first importance in the study of effect. A 
tree, beautiful in some situations, and in con- 
nection with some objects, will fail to please 
under other circumstances. A tree out of 
character is as offensive to the cultivated 
mind as would be a dress of the finest satin 
on the back of a beggar. So, an idea at- 
tached to a tree by association, gives it a 
character which cannot be removed from it 
without violence. A traveller, accustomed 
to associate the cypress or yew-tree with 
churchyards or monuments, would be pain- 
fully struck on meeting an avenue of them 
leading to a mansion. The same ideas hold 
good in the peculiar character of trees, as 
well as in their associations. A magnificent 



46 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

deodar, or even a Korway spruce, solitary 
and alone, would look as ridiculous by the. 
side of one of our western log-houses, as 
a noble, weather-beaten, rustic-looking oak 
would alongside a magnificent modern spe- 
cimen of city architecture. 

41. We often hear the remark that ever- 
greens around a mansion look so beautiful. 
Others again give a decided preference to 
deciduous trees. This difference of opinion 
can be accounted for on philosophical princi- 
ples, and does not originate from any varia- 
tion in the principles of beauty. Evergreens 
are the accompaniments of the thoughtful 
and the reflective. As we advance in age, 
.the fondness for them grows more devoted. 
Their unchanging character suits the re- 
flective steadiness that characterizes old age, 
and which draws our affection towards them 
as to bosom friends. Deciduous trees are 
emblematic of lightness and gayety; the 
young and untutored will always prefer 
them. Our happiest remembrances cling 
around the old oak of our childhood's home, 
without a thought or a care for the holly or 
the pine. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 47 

42. For these reasons evergreens shonld 
never preponderate around places, or in 
situations devoted to amusement or recrea- 
tion. By schools, or places devoted to the 
young, they are objectionable in great num- 
bers. Unsuggestive of lightness and gayety, 
they are opposed to the thoughtless, yet 
happy innocence of childhood. Wherever 
the aged love to resort, whatever is to have 
an air of solitude or peace, there is the spot 
which evergreens will adorn; here is the 
point from which they will really seem beau- 
tiful. 

43. The selection of trees for effect can 
then depend upon no particular rule, fitness 
or appropriateness depending upon each cir- 
cumstance; but unity and harmony are more 
general in their application. 

44. Unity of design must not degenerate 
into formality; nor harmony into monotony. 
It is the frequency of this degeneracy that 
produces the opposite errors of irregularity 
and discord. Oae, in a mistaken view of 
unity, will divide his grounds into two equal 
parts, and an oak or an elm on one side 
must have precisely the same on the other, 



48 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

as if to balance the whole. Another, dis- 
gusted with such abortions of taste, plunges 
into the opposite error. His place has the 
appearance of having fallen into the hands 
of men of all principles, ages, and nations, 
each one of whom had successively stuck on 
a patch, till, between the daubs of so many 
brushes on their objectionable part of the 
picture, little of the original design is left. 

45. Variety is not opposed to unity. The 
oneness should be in the outline; the more 
varied, then, the filling up, the better. The 
carriage entrance to an old mansion is often 
improved by a row of trees on each side. 
Each set of two placed opposite to one an- 
other, should of course correspond. One 
would as soon see beauty in one gate-post, 
or one eye being larger than the other, as to 
see anything different in this respect. Yet 
there could be no objection to the successive 
sets of trees varying in species or varieties, 
so long as no rule of harmony was broken 
thereby. A light, airy -looking tree, like the 
hemlock-spruce, should not be placed imme- 
diately after a rugged, artificial-looking Nor- 
way. Its gracefulness would be in part 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 49 

absorbed by the rusticity of the latter, and 
both lose by comparison. 

46. This harmony of color, shade, and 
contrast, is of more importance in the gene- 
ral arrangement of trees in a garden, than in 
such an avenue as I have described. They 
are to be looked at in greater masses, seen 
from more distant points of view, or from 
more varied positions. 

47. The colors, tints, a^d hues of the fo- 
liage at different seasons of the year, will 
then have to be more particularly studied. 
Much may be lost or gained in the effect of 
a single tree. The golden hue of a sugar 
maple in the fall, appears to great advantage 
followed by a sassafras with its rosy yellow 
tints ; and this, again, followed by a red or 
swamp maple or tupelo, forms a beautiful 
combination. If we were to take away the 
sassafras and replace it with a British oak, 
the effect would be anything but pleasing. 

48. Not only in color should there be har- 
mony, but also in height, habit, and appear- 
ance. All violent contrasts are opposed to 
natural beauty. In the oft-quoted language 
of Kay, " nature never takes leaps," but pro- 

5 



50 AMERICAN" HANDBOOK 

ceeds gradually step by step. Differing in 
variety, yet united in general principles, eacli 
clump or section of trees in a landscape will 
possess characters exclusively its own. Few 
mistakes can arise from planting trees sim- 
ply ; harmony and association with the ob- 
jects alone being called for. 

49. In planting for a wood or grove, it is 
frequently the desire to make a small place 
look larger. Ev^ry bend should possess 
some new or striking feature. A long walk 
around a wood will not please without an 
object. A visitor may be surprised at the 
extent, but to the proprietor it is wearisome. 
His pleasure can only be secured by a suc- 
cession of ever present, yet ever changing 
objects of beauty along the course. 

50. Thus the planter should be imbued 
with the principles of beauty. Without 
them his labors may excite only wonder at 
their extent, or surprise -at their variety; 
with them, he combines lasting beauty — a 
source of unvarying pleasure and delight. 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 51 



IX. OF TREES INDIVIDUALLY. 

Abies, Toumefort. — Nat. Ord. Pinaceae. Mo- 
noecia, Monadelpliia, Linn. Cones mostly 
pendant, seldom clustering, cylindrieally 
conical ; scales not thickened at the top. 
Leaves solitary, somewhat scattered, and 
arranged more or less in two rows. 

1. A. canadensis, Michaux. Leaves soli- 
tary, flat, toothed near the point, disposed 
irregularly in two ranks, each about half an 
inch long. Cones oval, terminal, scarcely 
longer than the leaves. — Hemlock spruce. 
Native of the Northern States. 

It would not be exaggeration to pro- 
nounce this the most beautiful evergreen in 
cultivation. Beautiful as many of the new 
pines are, few approach this. It has regu-, 
larity without formality; and, in any point 
of view, elegance and gracefulness. Its habit 
is frequently so erect as to approach the fas- 
tigiate; yet the ends of its branches are as 
pendulous as a Babylonian willow. Its co- 
lor is not of that mournful cast so common 
to other Pinaceae; nor of that consumptive- 



52 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

looking hue so connected with sickliness. 
Stepping between these it is suggestive of 
innocence and lightness, which cannot fail to 
attract admirers for it, in whatever situation 
placed. It will make the prettiest object 
when grown by itself; but it is a tree that 
has no aversion to company. The largest 
specimen at Bartram is ninety -four feet high, 
and eight feet four inches in circumference. 

It thrives best in a light alluvial loam, 
contiguous to moisture; but is soon injured 
in wet situations. It will grow in the driest 
soils; but, unless the atmosphere is very 
humid, to little advantage. It is propagated 
by seeds sown early in the spring in boxes 
or beds of well-drained sandy loam, but 
slightly covered with soil, and kept mode- 
rately moist and shaded. When two years 
old they may be removed to nursery rows 
one foot apart in the row. When they have 
been thus raised, and once afterwards trans- 
planted, they can be transplanted easily at 
any future time. They seldom do well re- 
moved from the woods. 

2. A. DouGLASSii, Lindley. Leaves flat, 
comb-like in their arrangement, silvery be- 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 63 

neath; about one ihcli long. Cones about 
four inches long, and two broad, borne on 
the ends of the branches, with many sharp, 
linear bracteas at the base; ovate oblong. — 
Douglass's spruce. Native of the states on 
the Pacific. Grows to one hundred and fifty 
feet high, and is represented to be one of 
the most beautiful of the tribe. The finest 
specimen I have seen in the neighborhood of 
Philadelphia is about five feet high, very 
vigorous and hardj^ This is on a sandy, 
yet moist hill, with a south aspect. On a 
cold aspect, in a stiff loam, they do not suc- 
ceed well. Most of the plants in the nurse- 
ries are raised from cuttings, which make 
fine plants; but many are now raised from 
seed obtained from their native places of 
growth. These should be sown as soon as 
received in pans of sandy loam, the seeds 
very little covered ; and if they can be 
placed in the soil separately, with their 
sharpest ends downwards, it would be to 
their advantage. Sometimes the seeds will 
remain a year in the soil before germinating. 
8. A. EXCELSA, De Candolle. Leaves scat- 
tered, quadrangular, curved, and sharp-point- 
ed 



54 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

ed. Cones cylindrical, terminal; of a rich 
reddish brown when ripe; five to seven 
inches long, one and a half to two inches 
broad. — Norway spruce. 

There is a great diversity of opinion re- 
specting the merits of this tree in a land- 
scape. The objection is chiefly to the mo- 
notonous formality of its appearance; yet, 
when it is in a situation highly artificial or 
extra-natural — as near ornamental buildings, 
on rugged, rocky places, or on the tops of 
informal hills — there is probably nothing 
more beautiful. The finest specimen at Bar- 
tram is one hundred and twenty feet high, 
and seven feet two inches in circumference ; 
beautifully clothed with branches to near 
the ground. It is growing on a light gra- 
velly loam, on a substratum of gravel. It 
generally thrives best in a cool sandy loam, 
where the soil is always moist, but not wet. 

Propagation, &c., see Ko. 1. 

4. A. NIGRA, Alton. Leaves solitary, regu- 
larly disposed all round the branches, erect, 
very short, somewhat quadrangular. Cones 
ovate, about one and a half inch long, and 
three-quarters of an inch wide in the middle ; 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 55, 

the scales blunt, roundish, very thin, and 
when ripe, ragged and torn at the margin. — 
Black spruce. Native of the Northern and 
Middle States. 

In its native localities this tree often at- 
tains seventy feet in height, though its 
diameter is never great. It much resembles 
the Norway, but is not pendulous. It 
spreads horizontally like that species, but 
has a darker hue. It will grow alike in the 
lowest or the most elevated situations; on 
the rocky hill-side, or in a spot nearly 
swampy. It seems to thrive best in a cool, 
light loam. There are no very fine speci- 
mens now at Bartram, the largest is thirty- 
four feet high by twenty -four inches in cir- 
cumference. 

For propagation, &c., see No. 1. 

5. A. Smithiana, WalUch. Leaves com- 
pressed, tetragonal, straight, somewhat awl- 
shaped, sharp-pointed, one to one and a half 
inch long, pale green, and somewhat glaucous. 
Cones ovate oblong, solitary, four to seven 
inches long. — Smith's Himalayan spruce. 
Morinda. Himalayas. 

This is said to grow about fifty feet high 



5d AMERICAN" HANDBOOK 

in its native country, and to surpass the 
Norway in beauty ; its habit is not quite 
so pendulous ; the leaves are longer, and of 
a lighter hue, and the whole habit seems 
grosser and more luxuriant. It seems to 
thrive best in a deep, strong loam, in an ele- 
vated situation, but not too much exposed to 
the sun. 

Acacia, Willdenoiv. — Nat. Ord. Fabaceae. 
Polygamia, Moncecia, Linn. Calyx 4 or 5- 
toothed. Legume dry, 2-valved. 

A. JULIBRISSIN, Willdenoiu. Without 
spines. Leaves with eight or ten pairs of 
pinnae, and a small gland at the base of each 
petiole. Heads of flowers pedunculate, form- 
ing nearly a panicle. Native of the Levant ; 
flowers in July. The julibrissin is a highly 
ornamental tree, resembling, but far excel- 
ling, in habit and appearance, the honey- 
locust. When it is old, it has a round- 
headed character; its branches spreading 
very wide. Its foliage always gives it a 
graceful appearance ; but when in flower, it 
is surpassed in beauty by few. It is per- 
fectly hardy in Philadelphia, though liable 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 57 

to lose the tops of the young wood in severe 
winters. There are several fine specimens 
in the vicinity, some fifty feet high; the 
largest Bartram specimen is about thirty-five 
feet high by twenty-seven inches in circum- 
ference. 

It delights in a dry, rich loam, and a 
warm, open situation. It is cultivated from 
seeds, sown in a somewhat rich loam early 
in the spring. In the fall they are taken up, 
tied in bundles, and kept through the winter 
in a cool, not damp cellar, packed in dryish 
loam. In the spring, they are planted out in 
nursery rows, eighteen inches apart, and 
generally remain out the winter following. 

Acer, Linnceics. — N^at Ord. Aceraceae. 
Polygamia, Moncecia, or Dioecia, Linn. Calyx 
5-lobed, sometimes 5-petalled. Capsules two, 
each terminated by a wing. 

1. A. CAMPESTRE, Linumus. Leaves cord- 
ate, small, with lobes. Wings of the fruit 
spreading right out. Bark often corky. — 
English maple. Native of Britain. 

This seldom reaches thirty feet high in its 
native country. Its leaves resemble those 



58 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

of the gooseberry. It is valuable in Ameri- 
can gardening, from the late period of the 
season to which it retains its foliage. It 
takes a sharp frost to destroy its verdure. 
It has a very stiff and formal habit of growth, 
yet one that renders it very appropriate for 
planting at a corner, to make a reason ap- 
]Dear for a bend in a walk, or to accompany 
any formal piece of work. There is a fine 
specimen on the grounds of Caleb Cope, 
Esq., and several in other places near Phila- 
delphia. 

It is readily propagated from seeds sown 
in the fall as they ripen, in a bed of sandy 
loam. If kept till the spring, they seldom 
come up till the next season. When a year 
old, they may be planted out in nursery rows 
one foot apart. In two years afterwards, 
they may be taken up and planted where 
they are to remain, or in rows two feet apart 
till wanted. It is often propagated from 
layers. A plant is cut down to within a few 
inches of the ground. The numerous shoots 
that spring up may be gently twisted any 
time after the fall of the leaf till the bursting 
of the bud, and a little soil thrown in amongst 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 59 

the shoots till the twisted parts are covered ; 
or the shoots maybe bent down to the ground, 
notched and slit as in the usual mode of layer- 
ing, and sunk a few inches in the ground. 
The first mode saves labor; the last, after 
waterings. 

2. A. DASYCARPUM, Ehrliart. Leaves pal- 
mately 5-lobed, deeply sinuated with the 
sinui acute. Flowers in clusters, before the 
leaves. Ovaries downy. Seeds with large 
wings. — Silver maple. Native of the North- 
ern and Middle States. 

One of the finest of our native trees. It 
is so often seen in a half-starved, stunted 
state, as a street tree, that one might be in- 
credulous of its beauty when under proper 
circumstances, from a mere description. Un- 
less in favorable soil, it does not make a deep 
shade — but in that case few can excel it, and 
its shade is so mellowed by the silvery under 
surface of the leaves, as to make quite a 
pleasing effect. It branches out pretty near 
the base, and spreads to a great extent with- 
out much ramification, which renders it 
liable to be broken at times by heavy winds. 
The finest specimen at Bartram is seventy- 



60 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

seven feet high, by six feet eight inches in 
circumference. 

It thrives best in a deep rich loam, or in a 
gravelly loam contiguous to moisture, as on 
a declivity by the side of a stream. It is 
propagated by seeds, as described in No. 1. 

8. A. MONTANUM, Alton. Leaves cordate, 
8-5-lobed. Lobes acuminate, coarsely ser- 
rate. Kacemes simple, pendulous, sometimes 
nearly erect. Petals linear. — Mountain ma- 
ple. Native principally of Canada and the 
Alleghanies. 

This tree is scarce in our nurseries. It is 
valuable to the landscape gardener for the 
variety of its red colors in the fall, and de- 
serves more extensive culture. It does not 
grow large when on its own roots ; but bud- 
ded on the strong-growing species, makes a 
fine tree. 

4. A. NIGRUM, Michaux. Leaves 3-5-lobed. 
Broader, and less bayed and cut than A. 
Saccharinum^ slightly downy beneath. Leaf- 
stalks shorter and stouter. — Black sugar 
maple. Native of the Middle and Southern. 
States. 

This tree, in cultivation, so much resem- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 61 

bles tlie true sugar-maple, that few can dis- 
tinguish them. When in a wild state,, it is 
generally thought to present a very distinct 
and peculiar appearance. 

In cultivation it has a darker hxi& than the- 
other kind, and may be readily distinguished 
in the spring by its coming into leaf a week 
or ten days earlier. The finest specimen I 
have seen is at Bartram. Though it is quite 
young, it measures fifty feet high and thirty 
inches in circumference. It is propagated 
by seeds, as No. 1. 

5. A. PLATANOiDESy Linnceus. Leaves 
mOky, broadly cordate, 5-lobed, coarsely 
toothed. Fruit divaricate. Flowers pendu- 
lous. — Norway maple. Native of the North- 
ern parts of Europe. 

A very ornamental tree in any situation. 
It does not incline to branch out so low down 
as some of the maples, while it has a more 
rugged and branching habit of growth. Its 
ample broad leaves give a fine shade, which 
is heightened by their dark green color. It 
is quite a peculiar tree, combining the artistic 
appearance of some trees with the rusticity 
of others. There are many situations in a 
6 



62 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

landscape where it would be singularly effect- 
ive. It is very hardy, and will thrive in 
any soil or situation. The finest specimen 
at Bartram is growing on an elevated situa- 
tion, in a gravelly soil on a rocky substratum, 
and is sixty feet in height, and three feet two 
inches in circumference. In the fine arbore- 
tum of Mr. G. W. Pierce, near West Chester, 
there is a fine specimen near eight feet in 
circumference. There are also some fine 
specimens on the grounds of the Society of 
Friends, on. Mulberry between Third and 
Fourth streets, Philadelphia. 

For propagation from seed, see IsTo. 1. 

6. A. PSEUDO-PLATANUS, Lmnceus. Leaves 
cordate at the base, 5-lobed, unequally den- 
tate. Fruit with long, large wings. — Syca- 
more. 

This has a more formal appearance than 
the last, being more regularly round-headed. 
It is readily distinguished by its habit, which 
is stiff and little inclined to branch. The 
lobes of the leaves are more pointed, and 
there is a wide difference in the fruit. It is 
a fine object grown as a single specimen, at- 
taining sixty or seventy feet high. It is a 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 63 

rapid grower, thriving in a deep ricli loam ; 
but growing pretty well in any situation, or 
under any circumstances. The young speci- 
men at Bar tram is about twenty -five feet 
high and forty inches in circumference. 

It may be propagated like Ko. 1. 

7. A. RUBRUM, Linnceus. Leaves 8, nearly 
5-lobed, slightly cordate at the base. Ovaries 
smooth. Seed-vessels and stalks red or 
brown. — Ked maple. — Swamp maple. Na- 
tive of most of the States and Canada. 

This tree, though it is naturally found in 
swamps and morasses, will thrive in any soil 
or situation. It is fortunate that it does so, 
as it is indispensable to the landscape gardener. 
Its bright scarlet fruit and flowers are amongst 
the earliest harbingers of spring; while its 
leaves, of every shade of red in the fall, add 
materially to the interest of the landscape. 
It has a very formal, regular head, though 
sometimes a specimen may be found with a 
somewhat rugged appearance. It varies very 
much from seed. 

In a curved avenue on the grounds at 
Springbrook, in which there are many of 
them, there are almost as many forms either 



64 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

in habit, hue, foliage, or fruit, as specimens. 
One may prove a valuable variety. The 
fruit is almost green, and comparatively in- 
significant ; while the foliage appears a week 
earlier than any of the others. The best 
Bartram specimen is forty -seven feet high 
and four feet in circumference. In favorable 
situations it doubles this. 

It is propagated from seed, like No. 1. 

8. A. SACCHARiNUM, Linnceus. Leaves 
palmate, 3, 5-parted, smooth; lobes sharp, 
with coarse teeth. Flowers in drooping 
corymbs, on hairy or downy stalks, — Sugar- 
maple. Canada to Pennsylvania. 

This tree has none of the graceful airiness 
of the silver -maple, or the rusticity of branches 
as the Norway ; but excels them both in no- 
bility of appearance. It has a stiff", regularly 
round head, generally in over proportion to 
the size of its trunk. It is much admired on 
account of the rich golden-yellow hue, often 
tinged with red, with which it is clothed in 
the fall. The finest specimen at Bartram is 
eighty -two feet high and five feet five inches 
in circumference. 

Like most of the maples it is of easy culti- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 65 

vation, doing well in any situation, except 
in the dry and confined atmosphere of a 
densely built city; and in most soils; but 
preferring a loose loam or one on a sub- 
stratum of clay. 

It is propagated as No. 1. 

9. A. STRIATUM, Lambert. Leaves 3-lobed, 
rough, slightly cordate at the base, sharply 
and finely serrate ; lobes acute. — Striped 
barked maple. — Moosewood. From Canada 
to Carolina. 

Few trees show so much the effect of dif- 
ferent circumstances as this. In England, 
when grafted on the Sycamore, it makes a 
tree three or four times larger than when in 
its native places of growth. At Bartram 
there is a young specimen on its own roots, 
growing in a moist shady situation upon a 
substratum of mica which is about thirty feet 
high and sixteen inches in circumference ; 
while in another part of the grounds there is 
another specimen growing in dry gravel, 
under the shade of a Norway spruce, which, 
though planted many years, has never arisen 
above the character of a shrub, perfecting its 
seeds every year. In the latter state, I pre* 

6* 



66 AlVIEEICAN HANDBOOK 

sume it is the A. Pe?insylvanicum, the moose- 
wood of Linn83Tis. 

It may be raised from seeds, cuttings, or 
grafts. 

J5SCULUS, Linnoens. — Nat Ord. Sapin- 
dac^. Heptandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
campanulate, 5-lobed. Petals unequal. Sta- 
mens usually curved inwardly. Fruit bristly 
and muricated. 

1. A. HIPPOCASTANUM, Linuceus. Leaflets 
7, obovately wedge-shaped, toothed. — British 
horsechestnut. 

This tree, originally confined to Northern 
Asia (its native country), is now cultivated 
all over the civilized globe. It is one of the 
finest shade trees, and possesses in its hand- 
some flowers appearing in May, a recom- 
mendation many others do not. It does not 
grow very lofty, being more inclined to 
spread and become round-headed, and on 
that account is one of the very best to stand 
out by itself as a specimen tree on a lawn or 
in a park. In deep rich loam it does well, 
attaining a great bulk in a short time, but 
in a dry or gravelly one, though it will grow 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 67 

pretty well, it is short lived, and seldom 
healtliy. The old specimens planted by 
John Bartram, not being on congenial soil, 
are not remarkable; the largest being but 
fifty feet high and seven feet five inches in 
circumference. 

They are readily reproduced from seed. 
When collected, lay them out of doors on 
the ground in a shady place, and slightly 
cover them with leaves. Guard them from 
vermin. Early in spring select a rich loamy 
spot, in which draw drills, and sow the nuts 
four inches apart, but just covering them 
with the soil. They will soon appear. In 
the fall following, transplant, to eighteen 
inches or two feet apart, to where they can 
remain till wanted. They also succeed well 
budded in July on the buckeye. 

2. ^. Ohiensis, Michaux. Leaves qui- 
nate, unequally toothed; leaflets nearly ses- 
sile. Flowers nearly yellow. — American 
horsechestnut, sometimes Ohio buckeye. 

This species half unites the buckeye with 
the true horsechestnut, having the habits 
and appearance of the one, with the prickly 
fruit, the chief characteristics of the other. 



68 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

It is a small tree, attaining about forty 
feet, and thrives in a similar soil, and is pro- 
pagated in tlie same manner as 'No. 1. The 
Bartram specimen is young, about thirty 
feet high, and two feet in circumference. A 
specimen in the arboretum of G. W. Pierce 
appears to be about fifty feet high, and is 
two feet four inches in circumference. 

8. M. RUBICUNDA, De Candolle. Leaflets 5-7, 
unequally serrate. Petals 4, with the claws 
of the petals shorter than the calyx. Sta- 
mens, eight. — Eed horsechestnut. 

Though a native species, it has not been 
long in cultivation. It is undoubtedly iJie 
handsomest. The flower-spikes are very 
large, of a deep brick red, and do not appear 
till June. It has a vigorous habit when 
grafted on the yellow buckeye, which is its 
best stock. The Bartram specimen — I be- 
lieve the finest in the country — is thirty feet 
high, and twenty-four inches in circumfer- 
ence, grafted on the British species. 

The same treatment as ISTos. 1 and 2 suits 
it. The seedlings occasionally produce car- 
nate-colored flowers. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 69 

AiLANTUS, Desfontaines. — Nat. Ord. Xan- 
tlioxylacese. Polygamia, Monoecia, Linn. Ca- 
lyx 6 -cleft. Petals five. Stamens ten, un- 
equal. Ovary mostly of five carpels, mem- 
branous, 1 -celled, 1 -seeded. 

A. GLANDULOSA, Desfontaines. Leaves pin- 
nate; leaflets toothed at tlie base, with a 
gland at the base of each tooth. — Ailanthus : 
Tree of heaven. Native of China. Flowers 
in June or July. 

Few trees have met with such a sad re- 
verse of fortune as this. Its growth is very 
rapid, and as rapidly it grew in popular esti- 
mation on its first introduction. Latterly, 
the tide has set against it, and caused many 
to be torn up by the roots, and cast away. 
The late Mr. Downing's last and best essay 
was directed against it, and it will probably 
never recover from that stroke of his power- 
fully-directed pen. There are many who 
will agree with his pleasing arguments, and 
discard it on account of its bad propensity to 
throw up suckers, an argument that can be 
used against many other of our finest trees ; 
and for its abominable stench for the week 
that it is in flower. These are its disadvan- 



70 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

tages. On the other hand, it is of very rapid 
growth, and, in appearance, often rivals the 
beauty of our own black walnut. In some 
situations, it does not sucker so freely as in 
others, and occasionally not at all. Severe 
pruning, or any external injury either to the 
roots or branches, seems to have considerable 
influence in the production of suckers. Hav- 
ing thus given both its merits and demerits, 
I leave it to its fate. Though I cannot re- 
commend it as a lawn tree, yet in cities, 
where it is so difficult to keep trees healthy, 
its suckering propensities cannot injure any- 
thing in the street, and there its value, by 
its freedom from insects, may atone for its 
stench while in flower. The Bartram speci- 
men is sixty feet high and seven feet in 
circumference. 

Amelanchier, Medihus. Nat. Ord. Poma- 
cese. Icosandria, Pentagynia, Linn. Calyx 
5 -cleft. Petals 6, oblong lanceolate. Styles 
more or less united. Fruit, a small apple, 
with 3-5 gristly cells. 

A. BOTRYAPiuM, De Candolle. Leaves ovate 
oblong, slightly cordate at the base, acumi- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 71 

nate. Flowers in loose racemes ; petals linear 
lanceolate. — June berry, shad-flower. Flow- 
ers in April. Native of most parts of the 
United States. 

A pretty tree, fifteen to twenty feet high. 
It grows very slenderly, and with few shoots, 
unless in a very rich loam. The leaves have 
mostly a white silky appearance, and the 
flowers and succeeding berries are very or- 
namental. I have seen a specimen thirty 
feet high, and three feet in circumference, 
but it is probably turned into "post and 
rails" by this time. 

They may be propagated by seeds, but in 
English nurseries are generally grafted on 
the hawthorn, and sometimes on the pear and 
quince. Seeds produce the finest trees. The 
latter modes produce plants quickest. 

'Amygbalus, Lmnceus. — N'at Ord. Dru- 
paceae. Icosandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
0-cleft, petals 5. Fruit a drupe. Seed an 
ovate nut with reticulate furrows. 

A. PERSIC A, Lmnceus. Variety pendula^ 
with the branches drooping, is a very pretty 
ornamental peach, when budded as tall as it 



72 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

can be got, on a tree of tlie common kind, 
suffered to grow up six or eight feet for tlie 
purpose. 

Andromeda, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord, Eri- 
caceae. Decandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
5-parted. Corolla monopetalous, globose, 
with a contracted 5-parted mouth. The seg-||. 
ments refiexed. 

A. ARBOREA, Linnceus. Leaves oblong 
oval, tapering to a point, thickly toothed. 
Flowers in terminal panicles. Corolla slightly 
downy. — Sorrel-tree. Native of the South- 
ern States. Flowers in August. 

A very handsome tree in favorable locali- 
ties ; in others it dwindles down to a mere 
shrub. It is fond of a gravelly, light loam, 
where the roots can be in proximity to a 
spring. Covered with its white blossoms it 
is very pretty, and adds to the gracefulness, 
its light twiggy habit always presents. The 
prettiest specimen at Bartram is sixty feet 
high, and four feet in circumference. 

It is raised from seed obtained from their 
native places of growth. These must be 
sown in fine sandy peat, sheltered from heavy 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 73 

rains, yet kept regularly moist. Wlien they 
are about a foot high, plant one foot apart in 
rows, in sandy loam, where they may remain 
till wanted. 

Anona, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Anonaceae. 
Polyandria, Polygynia, Lijin. Calyx com- 
posed of three sepals connected at the base. 
Petals 6, innermost smallest. Fruit, many- 
seeded, pulpy. 

A. GLABRA, LinncBus. Leaves ovate ellip- 
tic, wedge-shaped, smooth. The three outer 
petals nearly round. Fruit large, thick, and 
fleshy. — Papaw. Native of the Middle and 
Western States. Flowers in July. 

The stem is very straight, of a peculiar 
gray color ; and the leaves have a very dark 
and glossy-green appearance. To be grown 
to perfection, it should be treated as a single 
specimen, in rich soil, in an open situation. 
Then the tre© has a very pretty conical ap- 
pearance. In stony soil it is liable to throw 
up suckers ; but these are easily kept down. 
In Philadelphia, it bears fruit freely in the 
autumn. The largest specimen at Bartram 
is thirty feet high and two feet eight inches 
7 



74 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

in circumference. There are some yerj 
healthy luxurious specimens in Marshall's 
Garden, in Chester County, Pa. 

I have been unable to determine whether 
the A. triloba J Michaux^ is distinct. My friend, 
Col. Carr, late proprietor of the Bartram Bo- 
tanic Garden, considers them so. I am in- 
clined to think them identical from the de- 
scriptions, and have adopted the original 
name, as the plant I describe is so known 
in the nurseries. 

It is readily propagated from suckers or 
seeds. 

Aralia, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Araliaceae. 
Pentandria, Pentagynia, Linn. Calyx very 
small, mostly 5 -toothed. Petals 5, expanded 
or reflexed at the apex. Styles very short, 
permanent, spreading. Fruit, a berry ; usually 
5 -celled, and striated. 

A. SPINOSA, Linnceus. Stem and leaves 
prickly. Panicles much branched. — Ange- 
lica tree. Club of Hercules. 

Thinly scattered through the Middle, 
Southern, and Western States. When full 
grown, and covered in the fall and winter 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 75 

with its purple berries, it is a pretty, thougli 
small tree. The coarse, spiny branches also 
give it a picturesque appearance. 

It has the advantage of thriving in dry, 
barren, stony places, where few other things 
will groY/. When once established, it must 
always remain ; every attempt to destroy it 
by digging it up, is retaliated by a regiment 
of suckers. Let it alone, and it is not so 
troublesome. The finest Bartram specimen 
is fifteen feet high, and twelve inches in cir- 
cumference. 

It is easily propagated from cuttings of the 
roots, or by seeds. 

Araucaria, Ruiz and Pavon. — N'at. Ord, 
Pinaceae. Dioecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male 
flower. Pollen contained in ten to twenty 
cases, pendant from the apex of the scale. 
Female. Ovule solitary, joined to the carpel 
or scale. Leaves imbricate. 

A. IMBRICATA, Buiz and Pavon. Leaves 
in eights, ovate lanceolate, with small perma- 
nent spiny points, stifi* and attached to the 
tree for several years. Cones roundish ovate, 
about eight inches long, and seven broad. 



76 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

Seed about two and one-fourth inches long, 
and one broad. — Chili pine. 

This picturesque evergreen is perfectly 
hardy when grown in a light loam, and pro- 
tected from sun in the winter season. It 
sometimes loses its side branches when 
young, in severe winters. In cold stiff soil, 
especially if exposed to the sun in winter, it 
generally fails. 

It is propagated from seeds obtained from 
its native country. These should be sown 
in pans or boxes of light loamy soil, with 
the narrow ends of the seeds downwards, as 
soon as received. Put them in a frame 
where they can be kept evenly moist, with- 
out liability to saturation from rain. An 
abundance of air is essential. Avoid much 
heat, or an abundance of vegetable matter in 
the soil. "When they are a few inches high, 
pot singly into four-inch pots; or, if they can 
be protected, plant out in a bed four or six 
inches apart. 

Betula, LinncBus. — Nat. Ord. Betulacese. 
Monoecia, Tetrandria, Linn. Aments of the 
sterile flowers long and cylindrical ; scales 



OF OKNAMENTAL TKEES. 77 

ternate, tlie middle ones bearing the stamens. 
Pistillate aments ovate oblong ; scales trifid, 
3-flowered. Seeds (or fruit) with a mem- 
branous edge. 

1. Betula alba, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
acuminate, serrate. Stem covered with white 
bark. — White birch. Native of the North of 
Europe. 

The bark gives this a peculiar character ; 
and the slender drooping branchlets, and 
elegant shining green foliage, combine to 
render it one of the handsomest of trees. 

There is but one specimen referred to this 
species at Bartram, but it so closely resembles 
B. pojpulifolia as to require a nice examina- 
tion to determine it."^ 

It will thrive in the most barren soils where 
little else will grow, the roots extending just 
beneath the surface, and probably drawing 
much of their sustenance from the atmo- 
sphere. This circumstance renders them 
very easy to transplant, and where any kind 

* The nomenclature of the Birches is in great con- 
fusion among practical men. They are worth a closer 
study. 



78 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

can be got from the woods wliile yonng, it is 
preferable to raising them from seeds. They 
may be raised from seeds sown either in fall 
or spring, on a bed of light sandy loam. If 
slightly covered with decayed leaves, they 
will more easily germinate. Large trees are 
bad to transplant, on account of their main 
roots extending so far ; but if transplanted 
several times while young, there are few 
easier. 

2. B. LENTA, Linnceus. Leaves cordate, 
ovate, acuminate, sharply serrate ; the nerves 
beneath hairy, as well as the leafstalks. — 
Sweet black birch. Native of the Northern 
States. 

One of the handsomest of the birches. It 
is one of the earliest to put out its foliage to 
welcome the spring. It is generally conically 
round-headed when old, and frequently has 
its branches as pendulous as a weeping willow. 
It will grow sixty or seventy feet high under 
very favorable circumstances. The Bartram 
specimen is fifty feet high, three feet ten in- 
ches in circumference. 

Propagated and cultivated as No. 1. 

8. B. NIGRA, Linnceus. Leaves rhombic 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 79 

ovate, sliarp -pointed. Fertile catkins oblong, 
with hairy scales. — Black birch. Sometimes 
red birch. 

There are several fine specimens at Bar- 
tram, which have been styled "paper birches," 
on account, as I presume, of their shaggy 
bark. Others, correcting the error, have 
styled them the B. ruhra of Michaux, neither 
of which I believe are in the collection ; nor 
can I find them really in cultivation in the 
vicinity.* Our kind is a very ornamental, 
round-headed, pendulous, branching tree, and 
thrives best in a rather moist situation. Its 
white and yellow shaggy bark give it a pecu- 
liar character, which interests even in winter. 

Propagated and cultivated as No. 1. 

4. B. POPULIFOLIA, Alton. Leaves del- 
toid, much acuminated, unequally serrate. 
Scale of the fertile catkin, with the middle 
lobe acute, and smaller than the lateral ones. 
— American white birch. Poplar birch. 

The bark of this species is not of so fine 
a silvery color as the European species. It 

* The -6. ruhra^ Mz. may possibly prove to be the same 
as B. nigra, L. 



80 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

is a stronger, and makes tlie finest tree. It 
thrives best in a cool bnt not wet loam ; but 
will grow in any dry situation. The best 
Bartram specimen is forty-one feet high by 
three feet in circumference. 

There is a much finer specimen in Mr. 
Pierce's arboretum. 

Broussonetia, Ventenat. — N'at. Ord. Mo- 
racese. Dioecia, Tetrandria, Linn. Male flow- 
ers in pendulous cylindrical catkins. Fe- 
male, peduncled, in upright globular heads. 
Fruit, club-shaped. 

B. PAPYRIFERA, Ventenat. Leaves large, 
downy; some entire, others deeply lobed. — 
Paper-mulberry. Native of Japan. 

This tree was formerly in much request 
for shade. Its wide-spreading branches adapt 
it well for that purpose. In other respects, 
it possesses no beauty, and as it throws out 
many troublesome suckers, it is not now 
much sought after. It is very apt to be 
killed by severe winters. It grows to forty 
or fifty feet high. There are no very large 
specimens at Bartram, the original trees 
having been rooted out. In very dry situa- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 81 

tions, wliere few things will grow, and some- 
thing is preferred to nothing, the paper-mul- 
berry may be applied to advantage. It also 
thrives on the sea-shore, as may be seen at 
Cape May, where it stands solitary and alone 
as an ornamental tree. 

BuMELiA, Swartz. — Nat. Ord. Sapotacese. 
Pentandria, Monogynia, Linn, Calyx 5- 
parted. Corolla, with a short tnbe, 5 -parted, 
with two scales at the base of each segment. 
Fruit, an ovate, 1 -seeded drupe. 

B. LYCioiDES, Willdenow. Leaves lanceo- 
late, slightly wedge-shaped at the base, and 
shining. Flowers in axillary panicles. — Bu- 
melia. Native of the Southern States. 

A small, thorny tree, of rugged growth, 
and, in itself, of little beauty. It possesses 
an interest in the fact of its being nearly 
evergreen in this vicinity, and is covered 
with small purple berries in the fall. It will 
grow pretty well in the deepest shade as well 
as in open situations, and prefers a rich, 
loamy soil. It may be propagated by seeds, 
or more easily by layers. A specimen at 



82 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Bartram is about thirty feet higli, and nine 
inches in diameter. 

Buxus, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Eupliorbia- 
ceae. Monoecia, Tetrandria, Linn. Calyx of 
the male flower 8-leaved. Petals 2. Fe- 
male calyx 4-leaved, with three petals and 
three styles. Capsules with three beaks. 
Cells three. 

B. SEMPERVIRENS, Linn. Box-tree. 

Those who have seen this plant only as an 
edging to garden- walks, can have no concep- 
tion of the beauty of the tree varieties. The 
climate of Philadelphia seems well suited to 
them. The Bartram specimens, and some at 
Marshall's, excel anything in beauty I have 
seen in its native Box-hill in England. 

The best Bartram specimen is about thirty- 
six feet high, and thirty inches in circum- 
ference, perfectly symmetrical, and a pair of 
them (the golden-striped variety) equally 
uniform. The common green thrives equally 
well, growing in a gravelly dry soil, under 
the drip of trees. 

It is usually propagated by seeds, layers, 
or cuttings. The former may be sown as 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 83 

soon as ripe, in a cool, somewhat dry and 
shaded situation. They will readily germi- 
nate, and may stay two years where they are 
sown, then planted out in rows to stay till 
they are wanted, when they can easily be 
removed. New varieties may be raised in 
this way, the box being very apt to sport 
from seed. 

In the nurseries, they are usually raised 
from cuttings, which root readily when put 
in a frame of sandy soil early in the fall. 
The box-tree will transplant at any season, 
with care. I have been most successful im- 
mediately after the breaking up of frost. 
There are several handsome varieties in cul- 
tivation, the broad and narrow-leaved, gold- 
edged, variegated, silver, yellow, and myrtle- 
leaved. The B. Balearica, or Minorca Box, 
is not, I believe, hardy in Philadelphia. 

Carpinus, Linn. — Nat. Ord. Corylaceas. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male catkins, 
cylindrical; scales ovate, acute, ciliate near 
the base. Stamens twenty; anthers slightly 
bearded at the top. Female catkins oblong, 
scales unequally 3-lobed, 1 -flowered, per ma- 



84 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

nent, enlarging, and becoming leafy. Nut 
ovate, slightly flattened. 

C. AMERICANA, Michaux. Leaves oblong 
ovate, acuminate, unequally serrate. — Ameri- 
can hornbean, water-beech. Northern and 
Middle States. 

A small tree, of about twenty-five feet 
high. Like the birches, it is useful for 
planting in barren soil, especially if on a 
clay bottom. It is fond of being near to 
moisture, as on the margin of streams. It 
is a very handsome small twiggy tree, the 
leaves changing in the fall to various shades 
of crimson, scarlet, and orange, and very 
often, after they are killed by the frost, are 
retained on the plant till the spring. The 
best Bartram specimen is thirty-two feet 
high, and twenty-six inches in circumference. 

It is generally raised in the nurseries by 
layers ; seedlings make finer plants, but are 
longer in coming on. The seed should be 
sown as soon as ripe, in a rather moist but 
light soil, and transplanted when a year old. 
Unless they are moved a time or two when 
young, they are difiicult of removal after- 
wards. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 85 

The European hombean nearly resembles 
this. The leaves are more perfectly ovate, 
and each has red ovate glands at its base. 
There are several varieties of it ; propagated 
by budding on the original, as well as by 
layers. 

Carta, Nuttal. — Nat, Ord. Juglandaceae. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male catkins 
mostly in 8's, with the scales 3-parted. Sta- 
mens 3-8 ; anthers hairy. Female flowers in 
clusters, each with one 4-cleft scale, with 
out any style; the stigma 2-lobed, and each 
lobe slightly cleft. Nut somewhat quadran- 
gular. 

1. C. ALBA, Nuttal. Leaflets mostly three, 
villous beneath. Fruit depressed, globose; 
nut flattened. Bark often peeling off in 
flakes. Shellbark hickory. 

This fine tree will not, probably, share the 
fate of so many other of our fine native trees. 
In " clearing lots," a " shellbark" or two is 
generally preserved, in order that its nuts may 
assist to crack away the tedium of a winter's 
evening. A place ought to be assigned it 
8 



86 AMEEICAN" HANDBOOK 

in all new plantations of any extent. Its 
branches have, in general, a gnarled and 
twisted appearance, which in winter are ex- 
ceeded in picturesqneness only by the ^er- 
simmon^ and, in some cases, by the sour-gum 
and sassafras. When raised from infancy, 
without being over-crowded, it is rather flat- 
headed and spreading. It loves a sheltered 
situation, and thrives best in a rich, rather 
moist loam. The specimen at Bartram is 
fifty feet high and three feet in circumfer- 
ence. 

It is raised from the nuts sown as soon as 
ripe, or early in spring, in beds of rich loam, 
in drills. They should be transplanted after 
a season's growth. The younger they can 
be planted where they are to remain the 
better. 

2. C. AMARA, Nuttal. Leaflets ovate, smooth 
on both sides. Fruit nearly round, rather 
small; shell of the nut very thin; kernel bit- 
ter. — Bitter-nut. 

With the exception of the peccan, this is 
the loftiest looking one of the tribe. Its 
branches all exhibit a desire to grow up- 
wards, and when the tree arrives at maturity. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 87 

tlie side-branclies are frequently the highest 
parts of the tree. 

It thrives best on dry, rocky, or gravelly 
places. In such situations I have seen it 
give a peculiarly interesting appearance to 
the landscape. The foliage is always of a 
pale yellow tint. It changes to a fine golden 
yellow in the fall. The finest Bartram speci- 
men is about seventy-five feet high. 

For cultivation, &c. see No. 1. 

8. C. OLiv^FORMis, JSfuttal. Leaflets nume- 
rous, slightly falcate. Fruit, oblong, slightly 
squared. Nut, olive-shaped, with a smooth, 
thin shell, often marked with colored lines.— 
Peccan nut. Illinois hickory. 

Eesembles the bitter-nut in its habits and 
manner of growth. In a passing glance, it 
might be taken for an ash ; both its trunk 
and foliage favoring the impression. The 
finest tree I have seen is at Bartram. It is 
ninety-one feet high and five and a half feet 
in circumference. It rarely perfects its fruit 
in this region, but a young specimen at 
Bartram often does so. 

It thrives well in similar situations to the 
bitter-nut, and may be managed in the same 
way. 



88 AMEKICAN HANDBOOK 

4. C. PORCINA, Nuttal. Leaflets about 
seven. Fruit pear-sliaped, outer shell thin. 
Nut smooth, slightly compressed, often 
slightly cordate, hard and smooth. — Pig-nut. 
This is generally a much smaller tree than 
the others, and is less picturesque than the 
shellbark. It thrives best in ra.ther moist 
situations, and may be propagated as No. 1. 

The finest Bartram specimen is fifty feet 
high by three feet in circumference. 

5. C. TOMENTOSA, Nuttal. Leaves mostly 
seven. Young leaflets, petioles, and shoots 
downy. Fruit oval. Nut large, somewhat 
6-angled, thick shelled. — Mocker nut. Hick- 
ory. This is a well-known tree, but is rapidly 
disappearing with the forests. I might note 
many fine specimens in the vicinity, but 
which, possibly, before this work went to 
press, might meet the woodman's axe.* A 
fine specimen exists on the grounds at Spring- 

* A remarkable specimen exists in a wood belonging 
to Miss Ann Bartram, at Kingsessing. I believe it never 
bears fruit, -which may account for its size. One hun- 
dred dollars were oflFered for it as a "liberty-pole" at the 
election of Gen. Jackson, which the good lady's political 
principles led her to decline. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 89 

brook, wHcli at least will be preserved so 
long as its present proprietor lias control 
over it. 

Castanea, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Cory- 
lace^e. Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male 
flowers clustered in very long cylindrical 
catkins. Female flowers generally in threes, 
within a prickly covering. 

1. C. VESCA, Linnceus. Leaves oblong lan- 
ceolate, acuminate, sinuate — serrate, smooth 
and green on both sides : nuts usually two — 
three in each covering. — Chestnut-tree. ISTa- 
tive of Europe and America. Flowers in 
June. 

Kothing can be a prettier object in the 
landscape than this well-known tree. It fre- 
quently outgrows the oak, which it somewhat 
resembles in appearance. The foreign varie- 
ties, Marroniers of the French, differ in little 
from our native variety, except in the size 
of their nuts. They are of distinct import- 
ance, however, in a landscape, on account of 
their remaining green for weeks after our 
kind has fallen into "the sere and yellow leaf." 

8* 



90 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

It will thrive in the most barren soils, es- 
pecially those of a rocky or gravelly nature 
— doing equally as well in a deep, rich loam, 
or any soil but a wet one. It is, in fact, a 
tree for any situation. The Bartram speci- 
men is eighty feet high, and seven feet nine 
inches in circumference ; and one of the 
marrone variety, thirty-five feet high and 
three feet in circumference. 

It may be propagated by seed sown in 
drills in the spring, or in the fall, if preserved 
from vermin. The improved varieties are 
perpetuated by grafting. 

2. C. PUMiLA, Michaux. Leaves oblong 
lanceolate, acute, whitish tomentose beneath. 
— Chinquapin. Native of the Southern States. 
Flowers in June. 

In its wild state, this is but a shrub of 
meagre stature; but cultivated, makes a 
pretty, round-headed, miniature chestnut-tree. 
A specimen at Bartram is twenty-five feet 
high and thirty-five inches in circumference. 
There is a very pretty specimen in Mr. Pierce's 
arboretum, twenty-eight inches in circumfe- 
rence and about thirty -five feet high. 

In its native localities, it seems to prefer 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 91 

moist situations. Botli the specimens above 
alluded to are in rather dry soil. 
It can be propagated as No. 1. 

Catalpa, Scopoli — Nat Ord. Bignoniacse. 
Didynamia Angiosperma, Linn. Calyx 2- 
parted. Corolla campanulate; limb une- 
qually toothed ; tube swollen out. Stamens, 
two sometimes nearly abortive. Capsule 
long, cylindrical. 

C. BiGNONioiDES, Walter. Leaves cordate, 
acuminate, entire, petiolate. Flowers pani 
culate. — Catalpa. Bean-tree. 

This tree sometimes reaches thirty -five or 
forty feet high, flowering in June, and is, at 
that time, very ornamental. Yet it is not in 
much demand. Its leaves are so long in 
making their appearance in spring, as often 
to originate the idea that the tree has suffered 
in the winter. The first cold nights, too, put 
an end to their verdure, while between its 
" beans," leaves, and fading flowers, it keeps 
up a litter throughout the year. Its head is 
round and regular, while its branches are 
generally curled and twisted. Its ornamental 
flowers together, will always insure it a place 



92 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

in a collection. The best Bartram specimen 
is about forty feet high and four feet in cir- 
cumference. 

The catalpa will grow in any soil, but pre- 
fers one rather moist. It may be propagated 
by seeds sown early in spring, in a light 
loamy soil, a little shaded. Cover them 
very lightly. They will soon vegetate. The 
sooner they are planted into the nursery 
rows the better. They frequently die down 
a little in winter, but soon lose this weakness. 
They may also be struck from cuttings of last 
year's wood, taken off early in the spring, 
and put in a bed of sandy loam. Strong plants 
can be raised sooner this way than by seeds. 

Cedrus, Barrelier. — Nat. Ord. Pinaceae. 
Monoecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Differs from 
Larix in being evergreen, and in the carpels 
separating from the axis. 

1. C. DEO DAE A, Roxburgh. Leaves in 
bundles, sharp, somewhat 8 -angled, stiff, of a 
bluish-green, covered with a glaucous bloom. 
Cones four to five inches long, three to four 
broad. — Deodar. Native of Nepaul. 

This is said to grow one hundred and fifty 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 93 

feet higli ; tlie largest in this vicinity is not 
over six. Its light gray color and graceful 
pendulous habit, gives it a peculiar character 
which makes it much sought after by orna- 
mental planters. Most of the plants in our 
nurseries are imported. Such are more 
readily killed by our winters than plants 
raised here. The severe winter of 1851-2 
killed many of the imported trees in the 
vicinity of Philadelphia. 

I have seen it thrive remarkably well in a 
cool, sandy loam, and have no doubt of its 
proving with us one of the most valuable 
ornamental evergreens. 

2. C. LIBANI, Barrelier. Leaves one inch 
long, nearly cylindrical, tapering to a point, 
on very short footstalks; growing in tufts. 
Cones ovate, three to four inches long. — Cedar 
of Lebanon. Native of Syria. 

Of very slow growth in this country. This 
may arise from imperfect culture. It is very 
ornamental when of good size. The branches, 
especially as they grow old, assume a stiffly 
horizontal direction, and when the tree is in 
favorable circumstances, sweep the ground. 
When any way crowded, they soon lose their 



94 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

under branches, and present a very artificial 
looking irregular head. It thrives best in a 
deep, rich, sandy loam, contiguous to moisture. 

The seed should be sown early in the 
spring, in light, sandy loam, about half an 
inch deep. They will appear in about six 
weeks. The following year they may be 
planted in pots separately, or, which I think 
preferable, in nursery rows, twelve inches 
apart. It is well to give them a little pro- 
tection against frost the first winter or so. 
Frequently, they are potted and kept in cool 
frames for a year or two ; but, unless under 
very skilful hands, they are liable to get 
stunted and be of little use afterwards. 

The G. africana^ Gordon^ from Mount Atlas, 
is probably but a variety of this with a 
lighter hue. Its habit and appearance are 
so nearly alike, that no distinction appears 
for ornamental uses — so far as I can judge 
from plants but a few feet high. 

Celtis, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Ulmacese. 
Polygamia, Monoecia, Linnceus. Calyx of the 
staminate flowers 5 -parted. Stamens six, 
Calyx of the perfect flowers 5 -parted. Stig- 



OF OKNAMENTAL TKEES. 95 

ma awl-shaped, elongated, spreading. Styles 
short, connate. — Fruit drupaceous, 1 -seeded, 
round. 

1. C. CRASSIFOLIA, Lamarck. Leaves ob- 
liquely cordate ovate, much attenuated, and 
acuminate, mucronately serrate, very sca- 
brous, and of large size. Flowers appearing 
before the leaves. Divisions of the calyx 
spathulate, nearly entire. — Hackberry. Na- 
tive of the Northern and Middle States. 

This fine tree is very little known in our 
vicinity ; and, where it exists, is taken for 
the next species. There are two specimens 
(one of each), side by side in the garden of 
Friend Joshua Hoopes, of West Chester, 
where the difference between the two can be 
seen at a glance. And in the garden of Mar- 
shall, there is a fine specimen seven feet in 
circumference, and probably ninety feet high. 
Its branches spread, and the whole appear- 
ance is very much that of an elm ; with per- 
haps a darker hue.* 

* Mr. G. W. Emerson, in his "Trees and Shrubs of 
Massachusetts," observes that this tree " has gnarled, 
projecting roots, putting out nearly three feet from the 
surface on every side." 



96 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

The berries should be sown as soon as 
they are ripe. If not sown till spring, they 
seldom come np till the year following. 

2. C. OCCIDENTALIS, Linnoeus. Leaves ob- 
liquely ovate, serrate, acuminate. Flowers 
mostly solitary. Divisions of the calyx 
ciliate. Fruit brownish, not black, as de- 
scribed by Michaux. — American nettle-tree. 

When in cultivation, this is a large tree, 
rivalling some of the elms, which family it 
more resembles than even the last, often ex- 
hibiting the corky barked appearance of some 
of them. It is not quite so spreading in its 
habit. 

It delights in a moist, rich soil ; and, in- 
deed, will become a large tree in no other. 
The specimens at Bartram being on gravelly 
soil, and consequently short-lived, are now 
all dead ; but young trees abound. 

It is propagated as No. 1. 

Cerasus, Jussieu. — Nat. Ord. Drupaceae, 
Icosandria, Monogynia, Linn. Drupe glo- 
bose; nut sub-globose; not covered with a 
bloom as in the plum. 

1. C. CHIC ASA, Seringe. Branches glabrous, 



OF OENAMENTAL TREES. 97 

becoming rather spiny. Leaves oblong oval, 
sharp. Flowers on very short peduncles, 
and mostly in pairs. Calyx glabrous; its 
lobes very short. Fruit globose, small, yel- 
low, or sometimes red. — Chicasaw plum. Na- 
tive of the Southern States. 

A small, twiggy, erectly-spreading tree, the 
beauty of which principally lies in its lively 
shining wood. A specimen at Bartram is. 
twenty-five feet high and thirty -four inches, 
in circumference. 

The best way to propagate is to cut a tree 
down to a few inches of the ground, making 
it thus to throw out an abundance of shoots.. 
In the fall following, run a knife just through 
the bases of each, vertically. Then fill with 
soil to a few inches over the slit. In the^ 
follomng fall they will be well rooted, and 
may be taken off the parent. 

2. C. MAHALEB, Miller. Leaves somewhat 
heart-shaped, toothed. Flowers in racemes. 
Fruit nearly round, black, and very bitter.- — 
Mahaleb cherry. Native of the south of 
Europe. 

The deep black fruit of this tree, and its^ 
small apricot-like foliage, render it a very 
9 



98 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

useful tree in ornamental gardening. Its 
growth is generally erect, though it varies 
much from seed in this respect. A very fine 
specimen at Bartram, remarkably spreading 
and round-headed, is thirty-five feet high 
and thirty-six inches in circumference. It 
delights in a deep rich loam, and may be 
propagated from seeds sown early in spring, 
or from layers, or the mode given for No. 1. 

3. C. PADUS, De CandoUe. Leaves ovate- 
lanceolate, somewhat thin, sharp, and serru- 
late, with the teeth rather spreading. Ka- 
cemes long and leafy. Fruit round. — English 
bird-cherry. Flowers in April. 

A low flat-headed tree, seldom growing 
over thirty feet high, but valuable to us for 
the earliness and beauty of its white flowers. 
It thrives best in a moist, shady situation ; 
may be propagated as the preceding, or by 
budding on the C. serotina^ which improves its 
vigor. A small specimen at Bartram, in a 
dry situation, is twenty feet high. 

4. C. SEROTINA, De CandoUe. Leaves ob- 
long, acuminate, serrate dentate, smooth; 
the petiole bearing about four glands. Flow- 
ers in racemes; petals round. Fruit deep 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 99 

red, or purplish. — Wild cherry. Flowers in 
May.* 

Yery ornamental, and indispensable in 
every collection. It is usually round-headed, 
and, if exposed, throws out its branches to a 
great distance. Its leaves are of a fine, dark, 
shining green; and even in winter, when 
shorn of these beauties, its spotted and 
speckled branches are interesting. Its fruit 
is very attractive to birds, thus promoting 
the pleasures of a country-seat in a twofold 
manner. 

A fine specimen at Bartram is seventy 
feet high and five feet in circumference. 

It will do well in most soils or situations, 
and is propagated from seeds sown in the 
spring. 

5. C. SYLVESTRIS, Seringe. Branches vi- 
gorous and spreading. Fruit-buds oblong, 
acute. Flowers in umbels. Variety, flore 
pleno. Flowers double. — Double-flowering 
wood-cherry. 

* I am indebted to my friend, Dr. W. Darlington, for 
the observation that the kind known as C. Virginiana L. 
is really this species ; the real C. Virginiana L. being a 
low shrub. 



100 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Deservedly admired for its pure, wliite, 
large, double flowers, appearing in May. 
Propagated by budding. The Bartram spe- 
cimen is twenty-five feet higb, and thirty-six 
inches in circumference. 

Cercis, LinncBus. — Nat. Ord. Fabacea3. Dia- 
delphia, Decandria, Linn. Calyx obtusely 5- 
lobed, gibbous at the base, corolla butterfly- 
shaped ; the wings larger than the standard 
or top petal. Legume flat, oblong, many- 
seeded. 

1. C. Canadensis, Linnceus. Leaves cord- 
ate, nearly round, acute; pubescent in the 
axils of the nerves beneath. — Eed bud. Ame- 
rican Judas-tree. 

Nothing can be more beautiful in April 
and May, than a large round-headed " red- 
bud," twenty or thirty feet high, covered 
with its beautiful flowers before the bursting 
of a single leaf. The silvery under-surface 
of the leaves gives the tree a very light hue. 
I have seen some fine specimens of this in 
Mr. Pierce's fine avenue. The best Bartram 
specimen is thirty -five feet high and three 
feet six inches in circumference, growing in 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 101 

a rocky, shady soil, contiguous to moist- 
ure. 

It is readily raised from seeds sown in the 
fall, or early in spring, in a cool, shaded loam. 
They vegetate better if the seeds are sown 
with the pods, these being merely broken to 
pieces. They are considered to transplant 
most easily just before the bursting of the 

buds. 

2. C. SILIQUASTRUM, Linnceus. Much re- 
sembling the other, but with the leaves not 
so large, or round, and are entirely smooth. 
The flowers are less brilliant, and the whole 
tree inferior in beauty. — European Judas- 
tree. Native of the south of Europe. 

Chionanthus, Linnceus. — Nat. Orel. Olea- 
ce£e. Diandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 4- 
parted. Corolla 4-5 -cleft; lobes very long and 
slender. Fruit, drupaceous. Nut, striated. 

C. YiRGiNiCA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, lan- 
ceolate, smooth, a little leathery. Peduncles 
3-cleft, 3-flowered. — Fringe-tree, flowering in 
June. Native of the Southern and Middle 
States. 

Though seldom more than a week in 
9* 



102 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

flower, their beauty, or ratlier elegance, 
makes up for their evanescence. Tliey re- 
semble elaborately cut and fringed racemes 
of white paper. In the fall, its clusters of 
dark-purple, olive-shaped berries add much 
to its interest. The tree itself has little 
beauty ; its glaucous hue is frequently mis- 
taken for mildew. It thrives well in a cool, 
deep loam, and may be propagated by seeds 
or layers. Seeds should be sown as soon as 
ripe, in a cool, shaded situation. If not 
allowed to get too hot or dry, they will vege- 
tate the first season. 

The best Bartram specimen is about 
twenty feet high and thirty inches in cir- 
cumference. 

CoRNUS, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Cornacese. 
Tetrandria, Monogynia, Linn. Petals sessile, 
4, valvate in opening. Limb of the calyx 
very small, 4-toothed. Berry marked by the 
remains of the calyx. Nut 2-3-celled. 

1. C. ALBA, Zmwcews. Leaves broadly ovate, 
villose beneath. Heads of flowers very flat. — 
White-berried Dogwood. Flowers in May. 
Native of Kussia and North America. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 103 

There are some slight differences between 
these plants in different localities, but I be- 
lieve botanists consider them specifically the 
same. It is a low, spreading tree, becoming 
in fact but a shrub unless pruned up to a 
straight stem in its infancy. Its large trusses 
of white flowers, succeeded by white berries, 
and the fine red color its branches turn to 
in winter, render this not the least ornament- 
al of a very handsome tribe of small trees. 
It is rather scarce near the city, but is in the 
garden of Mr. John Evans, at Eadnor. 

It may be propagated by seeds, layers, or 
grafts. Seeds, if not sown as soon as ripe, 
often lie two years in the ground ; especially 
if not sown in moist soil. The best plan of 
raising them, is to take small branches, with 
several shoots on them, as soon as possible 
after the frost is out of the ground, and plant 
them in rows in a rather moist, somewhat 
shaded place, leaving only the tops of the 
small shoots out of the soil. It is better not 
to take off even a leaf. In the foUomng fall 
most of them will have roots, when they may 
be taken up and separated to form plants. 

2. C. ALTERNIFOLIA, LinncEus. Leaves 



104 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

slightly alternate, oval, heavy miderneatli. 
Berries dark purple. — Alternate-leaved dog- 
wood. Flowers in May. Native of the 
Northern and Middle States. 

This will often grow as large as the G, 
florida^ with a similar spreading head. The 
flowers are of a yellowish-white color, and 
the wood remains always green. It thrives 
best in moist shady situations, and may be 
propagated as No. 1. 

8. C. FLORIDA, Linnoeus. Flowers in capi- 
tate clusters, surrounded by four large petal- 
like leaflets, forming an involucre. — Flowery 
dogwood. American dogwood. Native of 
the Northern and Middle States. 

One of the most beautiful of our native 
flowering small trees, the flowers appearing 
in April, and presenting a brilliant appear- 
ance. It often grows thirty feet high and 
one foot in diameter in our forests ; but, with 
them, is fast disappearing. It will thrive in 
the deepest shade, loves moisture, but does 
not do well in a dry or exposed situation. 
The flowers are succeeded by beautiful red 
berries, and the leaves turn reddish in the 
fall. The branches grow very horizontal, 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 105 

and give it quite an interest in winter, each 
small twig crowned with its future head of 
flowers in embryo. 

Propagated as No. 1. 

The finest Bartram specimen is thirty feet 
high and two feet nine* inches in circumfer- 
ence. 

4. C. MAS, Linnceus. Flowers in heads, 
surrounded by a four-petalled, green, leafy 
involucre, appearing before the leaves. — 
Cornelian cherry. Native of most parts of 
Europe. 

A round-headed, small, shrubby tree of 
great beauty, whether considered with regard 
to its early bee-enticing flowers ; its regular, 
spreading, twiggy head ; or the beautiful large 
red elliptical fruit with which it is covered 
in the fall. It grows in any soil or situation, 
but best in a deep rich loam. A specimen 
at Bartram is fifteen feet high and twelve 
inches in circumference. 

It may be propagated as No. 1. 

Many beautiful varieties might be raised 
from seed. One with yellow fruit is said 
already to exist. 

5. C. SANGUiNEA, LiimcBus. Lcaves ovate, 



106 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

entire, often undulated. Berries black. — 
English red dogwood. Native of Europe. 
Flowers in June. 

The red young shoots give it a brilliant 
appearance ; and the dark berries form a fine 
contrast. It thrives* well in any moist soil. 
It is much inclined to branch out to form a 
shrub ; when carefully pruned it makes a 
pretty tree of about fifteen feet high. The 
best specimens about are in the garden of 
John Evans. 

Cratjegus, LinncBus. — Nat Ord. Pomacese. 
Icosandria, Di-pentagynia, Linn. Calyx, limb 
5-cleft. Petals 5, orbicular, spreading ; styles 
1-5, smooth. Apple or fruit mealy or fleshy, 
closed by the teeth of the calyx. Seeds bony. 

1. C. CORD ATA, Miller. Leaves cordate 
ovate, gashed and cut, smooth ; petioles and 
calyx without glands. Styles 5. — Washing- 
ton thorn. Maple hawthorn. 

All the tribe are highly ornamental small 
trees, whether considered in flower, fruit, or 
foliage. The fruit of this is smaller than in 
most of the following — grows about twenty 
feet high. All the kinds thrive best in a 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 107 

deep rich loam. May be propagated from 
seeds, layers, or by budding on each, other. 
The seeds very seldom come up the first 
year. They make finer trees for ornamental 
purposes by this than by any other mode. 
For fencing, they are sometimes raised by 
cuttings of the roots. 

2. C. cocciNEA, Linnceus. Leaves cordate 
ovate, with sharply cut angles, thin and 
smooth, on long glandular petioles. Styles 
mostly 5. Fruit large, roundish, bright red. 
— Scarlet-fruited thorn. American haw- 
thorn. 

A very desirable kind, on account of its 
fine foliage and large fruit. 

8. C. CRUS-GALLI, Linnceus. Leaves nearly 
sessile, shining, leathery, ovate wedge-shaped, 
serrate. Segments of the smooth calyx lance- 
olate. Flowers mostly two-styled. — Cock- 
spur hawthorn. Flowers in May. Native of 
North America. 

The enormous spines, frequently three or 
four inches long, give this tree its chief pecu- 
liarity. The branches spread more horizon- 
tally than in some of the others, and are 
generally of a shining, greenish red. 



108 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

4. C. FLAVA, Alton. Leaves obovate. 
Wedge-shaped, angular, smooth and shin- 
ing. Petioles, stipules, and the segments of 
the calyx glandular. Berries pear-shaped, 
yellowish, 4:-seeded, branches thorny. Thorns 
often with small leaves on them. — Yellow- 
fruited hawthorn. Pear-fruited hawthorn. 
Native of the Northern States. Flowers in 
May. 

A strong-growing, very desirable species ; 
but as yet scarce in cultivation. It is grow- 
ing in the garden of John Evans. 

5. C. OXYACANTHA, LimicBus. Leavcs 
mostly trifid, blunt, a little wedge-shaped, 
serrate, rather smooth and shining. Petioles 
and calyx without glands. Styles 1-3. Fruit 
ovoid. — English hawthorn. Flowers in May. 

In England, this is in the smallest garden, 
so much is it valued for the earliness and 
fragrance of its flowers. They make very 
beautiful objects, pruned up to a single stem, 
as single specimen small trees, in parks and 
similar places, there ; here, they do not seem 
so well adapted as some of our own species, 
being of a very luxuriant straggling growth, 
throwing out few side shoots. There are 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 109 

many varieties of this species, of wliicli nearly 
twenty are cultivated by John Evans, at 
Eadnor. There are also double red and 
white varieties, and others with various- 
colored fruits, highly ornamental. 

6. C. PYRIFOLIA, Alton. Leaves ovate, 
elliptic, deeply serrate. Calyx slightly 
downy. Flowers 3 -styled. — Pear-leaved 
hawthorn. 

This species does not grow so tall as some 
of the other kinds, rarely reaching twenty 
feet. It is very desirable on account of its 
foliage, and as being one of the latest to open 
its blossoms ; they seldom appearing before 
the middle of June. Though a native of the 
Northern States, it is scarce here in cultiva- 
tion, Mr. Evans being the only cultivator 
who, to my knowledge, possesses it. 

Cryptomeria, Thunherg. — Nat. Ord. Pi- 
naceae. Monoecia, Monadelphia. Scales pel- 
tate, 4-6 -seeded. Seeds 2 -winged. 

C, JAPONICA, Don. Leaves 5-rowed, ses- 
sile, with decurrent nerves, linear, incurved, 
slightly -i-angied, awl-shaped. — Japan cedar. 

In its native country it is said to reach 
10 



110 AMERICAJSr HANDBOOK 

near one hundred feet Higli, growing in damp 
soils, on a basaltic substratum. 

It is perfectly hardy with, ns, and has a 
beautiful light-green appearance through 
summer. In winter it becomes quite brown. 

CUPRESSUS, Tournefort — Nat. Orel. Pi- 
naceae. Moncecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male 
flowers in catkins. Calyx, a scale of the 
catkin, bearing four sessile anthers. Female 
flowers heaped in a roundish cone, without a 
corolla. Styles concave, ovaries eight, in a 
receptacle. Fruit, a strobile. 

1. C. THYOIDES, Linnoeus. Leaves acute, 
flat, imbricated. — White cedar. Native of 
the Middle States. 

Frequently grows thirty feet high, and at 
first sight resembles the red cedar. It has a 
very slender, straight trunk, and the branches 
grow erect, giving the tree a very slim ap- 
pearance. It delights in a low, wet situation, 
and is therefore often valuable as thriving 
where few others will. A specimen at Bar- 
tram, on rather dry soil, is twenty feet high 
and nine inches in circumference. 

It can be propagated from seeds or cuttings. 



OF ORNAMEN'TAL TREES. Ill 

The former sown as soon as ripe, in a light 
moist soil, in a shadj situation. They will 
mostly appear the following spring. 

Cuttings may be taken off in the fall as 
soon as the wood is firm, and put in a bed of 
coarse sand, and kept shaded from the full 
sun. They will require protection from frost, 
or it will draw them out of the soil. Most 
of them will be rooted by spring. They are 
not so desirable for fine specimens as seed- 
linsfs. 

2. C. TORULOSA, David Don. Leaves 
ovate, obtuse, imbricated in four rows. Main 
branches crowded, ascending; small branches 
much crowded, round, closely imbricated 
with leaves, often recurved at the points. — 
Twisted cypress. Native of ISTepaul. 

A very beautiful and distinct species. 

It does not prove entirely hardy here, but 
sufl&ciently so as to demand notice. The 
finest I have seen in the vicinity is about 
three feet. It is readily propagated from 
cuttings, like No. 1. 

Cyrilla, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Ericaceae. 
Pentandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 5- 



112 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

parted, persistent, with small divisions. Pe- 
tals five, thick and convex in the centre, ex- 
ceeding the length of the calyx. Stamens 
as long as the petals. Ovary oval, with a 
short style, and a 2-3 cleft stigma. 

1. C. RACEMiFLORA, Linnmus. Leaves 
wedge-lanceolate, somewhat acute and lea- 
thery, smooth. Petals three times longer 
than the calyx, and convex in the middle. — 
The cyrilla. Native of the Southern States. 

One of our prettiest small evergreen trees, 
whether we consider the cheerful appearance 
of its foliage, or its beautiful racemes of white 
flowers. It thrives well in a light, gravelly 
loam contiguous to moisture. In such, there 
is a specimen at Bartram twenty feet high 
and thirty inches in circumference. 

Cytisus, Linnoeus. — Nat. Orel. Fabacese. 
Calyx 2-lipped. Upper lip 2-cleft. Lower 
8-toothed. Legume attenuated at the base. 

C. LABURNUM, Linnceus. Eacemes simple, 
pendulous. Leaflets ovate oblong. Legumes 
many-seeded. — Laburnum. Native of the 
South of Europe. Flowers in May, in large 
yellow clusters. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 113 

Id the climate of England, this is one of 
the most ornamental of small trees. It does 
pretty well here in a deep, rich loam, in a 
cool, very shaded, but not close or confined 
situation. It will not do well in a wet soil. 

It may be propagated by seeds, layers, or, 
with care, by cuttings. The former is best. 
Sow as soon as ripe — if with the pods, the 
better — early in spring. They appear in a 
few weeks. The following spring transplant 
into nursery rows, one foot apart. The 
sooner they are permanently removed the 
better, as they get easily checked by being 
disturbed. There are several varieties, as 
the oak-leaved^ variegated^ ko,. These are pro- 
pagated by grafting or buddings on the com- 
mon kind. 

The best Bar tram specimen is about 
twenty-five feet high by fifteen inches in 
circumference. 

DiosPYROs, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Ebenaceae. 
Polygamia, Dioecia, Linn. Calyx 4-parted. 
Corolla pitcher-shaped, 4-cleft. Stamens, in 
the male flower, often sixteen; in the fertile, 
eight. Styles 4-cleft. Yery often 8 -seeded. 

10* 



114 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

D. VIRGINIANA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
acuminate, entire, nearly smootli; petioles 
downy ; bnds smootli. — Persimmon. Native 
of the Middle and Southern States. 

In good soil this will frequently grow 
forty or fifty feet high, and, in its habits of 
growth, is one of the most picturesque 
middle-sized trees we have. When by itself 
it grows conical, with its branches very tor- 
tuose. It is interesting at all seasons. In 
the spring, by its deep shining green foliage; 
in the siimmer, by the light green fruit ; in 
the fall, by the rich orange of its sered 
leaves, with the deep brown of its fruit ; and 
then in the winter, by its rustically-twisted, 
" ram's-horn" like branches. It thrives best 
in a deep rich loam. 

It is propagated by its seeds, sown as soon 
as ripe. They will appear in the spring. It 
is one of those trees which do not transplant 
readily, if not carefully cultivated when 
young. 

There is a specimen at Bartram sixty feet 
high and three feet in circumference ; and 
another fine specimen of a variety planted 
by William Bartram, which is of a fine fla- 
vor long before the frost arrives. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 115 

El^agnus, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Elaeagna- 
ceae. Tetrandria, Monogynia, Xm?2. Calyx tu- 
bularly bell-sliaped, with four slightly spread- 
ing lobes. Stamens shorter than the corolla 
adhering to its base. Fruit consisting of an 
achenium, and of the tubular part of the 
calyx rendered fleshy. The flowers are oc- 
casionally male only. 

E. HORTENSis, Bieher stein. Leaves lanceo- 
late, and, with the shoots of the current year, 
hoary. Flowers, axillary. Fruit, of a red- 
dish brown. — Oleaster. Native of the south 
of Europe. 

The specimen at Bartram is about twenty- 
five feet high and twelve inches in circum- 
ference. It is a small willow-like tree, with 
a soft mellow-looking foliage, keeping green, 
in our specimen, till near Christmas. 

It is easily propagated from its berries, 
sown as soon as ripe ; or by layers. It does 
best in a loose loamy soil, and prefers a cool 
situation. 

EUONYMUS, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Celas- 
tracese. Pentandria, Monogynia, Linn. Fruit 
capsular, 3-5-angled; 3-5-valved; valves 



116 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

opening by tlie middle. Seeds coated by a 
colored arillus. 

1. E. ATROPURPUEEUS, Jacquin. Leaves 
elliptic ovate, acuminate, petiolate. Capsules 
smooth. — Dark pnrple spindle-tree. Native 
of the Middle States. 

Under very favorable circumstances, and 
with, good trimming when young, it will 
make a small tree of fifteen feet liigli : other- 
wise it will scarcely come under the head of 
Arboriculture. Its red capsules render it 
very conspicuous in the fall. 

It thrives best in a deep rich loam, in a 
somewhat shaded situation. It is readily 
propagated by either seeds or layers. Seeds 
should be sown as soon as ripe, or they will 
not germinate for a season. They will come 
up freely if sown in any moist, shady place. 

The best specimen at Bartram, on stony 
soil, is about ten feet high. 

2. E. EUROPCEUS, Linnceus. Leaves smooth, 
bluntly serrate, elliptical; flowers mostly 
4-stamened; peduncles compressed, many- 
flowered. Stigmas awl-shaped. Angles of 
the capsules blunt. — European spindle-tree. 
Those who have seen this tree in English 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 117 

gardens, about ten or fifteen feet high, would 
be unprepared to see a specimen double this 
size in the garden of friend Longstreth, 
Kingsessing, which w^as probably planted 
there by Young, " the King's Botanist," and 
rival of John Bartram, who formerly owned 
the place. Its gray bark, and, in the fall, its 
pale pink capsules, clothe it with interest. 

It may be propagated as No. 1. 

8. E. LATiFOLius, Bauhin. Leaves serrate, 
lanceolate, with short petioles. Flowers 
mostly 5-stamened, on long cylindrical pedi- 
cels, many together. Petals white, changing 
to purple. Angles of the capsules sharp. — 
Broad-leaved spindle-tree. 

This is a finer species than either of the 
other two, growing much larger and stronger, 
and having finer foliage and larger fruit. It 
is scarce in these parts, but is cultivated in 
the garden of John Evans. 

It is a native of the south of Europe. 

Fagus, LinncBus. — Nat. Orel. Corylace^. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Staminate flowers 
numerous; in globose, pedunculate, pendu- 
lous catkins. Female flowers in twos, in an 



118 AMEBICAN HANDBOOK 

ovoidal, muricated involucre. Pistil with 
the base covered by the calyx. Styles three, 
awl-shaped. Kut triangular. 

1. F. FEERUGiNEA, Alton. Leaves oblong 
ovate, acuminate, more or less dentate, cili- 
ate; the flexible armature, or bracts, of the 
involucre spreading, or recurved. — American 
beech. 

Who does not know the beech? From 
the child who cuts its name on the smooth 
gray bark, to the aged one who stops, lean- 
ing on his staff, to take an oft-repeated look 
at some noble specimen in a landscape. It 
looks well in any situation where quietness 
and graceful elegance are sought to be ex- 
pressed. In wild or rugged scenery, I con- 
sider it out of place. By itself, in a quiet, 
sheltered nook, in a deep rich loam, it will 
form an object not easily surpassed for beau- 
ty. Its deep green glossy foliage ; its slen- 
der feathery branches; the silvery gray of 
its trunk, with its robust, ample proportions, 
cannot fail to excite admiration. In wild, 
rugged scenery, its foliage seems too dense 
for its light branches ; and the head is too 
regular, and seeming too overgrown to be in 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 119 

keeping. It will often grow to a very large 
size in rocky soil, if not too dry. Its roots 
extend a long way, and so near the surface 
that nothing but a kind of broom-rape, which 
nature seems wisely to have provided for 
the purpose, wiU grow amongst them. The 
best Bartram specimen is about seventy-two 
feet high and four feet four inches in circum- 
ference. 

Seeds sown early in spring very soon 
germinate. They should be early trans- 
planted to nursery-rows, and have plenty of 
room allowed them. For permanent situa- 
tions, a two-year old plant is better than an 
older one. 

2. F. SYLVATiCA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
glabrous, slightly toothed, and ciliated. — Eu- 
ropean beech. 

This very much resembles our species in 
habit, but has a glossier -looking foliage, and 
more compact habit of growth. It is very 
scarce in our district, existing chiefly as 
stocks on which imported varieties have 
been grafted, and failed. It is very late in 
budding out in the spring. 

The variety cuprea is more common. The 



120 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

most handsome in form is probably tliat at 
Bartram, wHch is clothed with branches to 
the ground, and is fifty feet high and thirty- 
six inches in circumference. A specimen 
with a magnificent head exists in the fine 
arboretum of Mr. Pierce, which is -Q.Ye feet in 
circumference. It is propagated by grafting 
the two-year old wood on the original species. 

The var. sanguinea has larger and darker- 
colored foliage. I have seen no very large 
specimens here. 

Yar. pendula is a fine weeping variety, 
propagated also by grafting. 

The var. ladniata is cultivated in the 
"Woodlands" west of the Schuylkill. Its 
finely cut foliage gives it a very distinct 
appearance. 

Small specimens of the var. cristata are 
also in cultivation, the leaves appearing like 
a curled willow. 

Fraxinus, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Oleacese. 
Polygamia, Dicecia, Linn. Sometimes Dian- 
dria Monogynia. Calyx mostly none, or 4- 
parted. Corolla none, or 4-petalled. Stamens 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 121 

mostly 2. Pistil one. Capsule a flat, lance- 
olate, winged samara. 

1. F. AMERICANA, Linnoeus. Leaflets ob- 
long ovate, somewhat pubescent and glaucous 
beneatb; petioles and young branclies smooth. 
Also F. acuminata^ Lambert. — White ash. 

What the Quercus alba is to its family, 
this is to the ashes — the chief. It is one of 
our prettiest trees. The head is flat when 
the tree is full grown, and when seen at a 
little distance, seems regularly marked with 
horizontal lines of light and shade. Its hue 
is so light as to have a beautiful effect when 
combined with trees of a darker shade. One 
of the prettiest combinations of trees I think 
I ever saw had a white ash with an Euro- 
pean linden on each side ; not near enough 
to touch each other. The lindens were per- 
fect cones, and perhaps one-third taller than 
the ash ; and formed a fine contrast, both in 
habit and color, to the ash. There was a 
splendid specimen at Bartram, which blew 
down in a gale in 1850, measuring over one 
hundred feet high. The roots of all the ashes 
run very near to the surface. They require 
a rich loam and plenty of room to arrive at 
11 



122 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

perfection. Seeds slioiild be sown as soon as 
ripe, on a bed of sandy loam, in a rather 
moist situation. They will" come up in the 
spring. They should be transplanted into 
nursery rooms, at least two feet apart, at the 
end of the first season's growth. All the ashes 
are amongst the latest to push forth in the 
spring. 

2. F. EPIPTERA, Willdenow^ which is in- 
cluded in many of our collections and cata- 
logues, is, so far as I have been enabled to 
determine, either the same thing as F. Ameri- 
cana^ L. or is not really with us. 

3. F. EXCELSIOR, Willdenow. Leaflets 
lanceolate, serrate, sessile. Flowers without 
petals. — English ash. 

This species, though resembling the black 
ash in its descriptive character, is readily distin- 
guished at sight. Its leaflets are smaller, and 
but 4-6 in a leaf. The hue of the foliage is 
so light as to make a marked distinction. A 
very fine specimen existed at Bartram till 
1851, when, being very nearly decayed, it 
was taken down. There are still several 
small ones, some exceeding thirty feet high. 

For soil and cultivation see No. 1. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 128 

Yar. aurea has an interesting appearance, 
from the color of its bark. There is a fair- 
sized specimen on the grounds of Mr. R. 
Buist, Rosedale, Kingsessing, 

Yar. heterophylla^ often bearing entire 
leaves, grows in the garden of John Evans. 

Yar. pendula, the weeping ash, is indis- 
pensable in many situations. There is a very 
interesting specimen at Bartram, forming the 
'""Washington arbor" under which the Father 
of his country, Benjamin Franklin, "Wilson, 
and other eminent men, have often sat ; and 
wherein, surrounded by scenes he loved, 
William Bartram breathed his last. Here 
sat Washington, when he replied to the 
French ambassador's playful inquiry, what 
kind of a nut that (bombshell) was : " It is a 
nut too hard for John Bull to crack." There 
is another taller specimen on the same grounds. 

It is propagated by budding on any of the 
strong-growing species. 

4. F. JUGLANDIFOLIA, WilMenow. Leaflets 
7-toothed, petiolate, oval acuminate. Branches 
and petioles smooth. — Walnut-leaved ash. 
Native of the Middle and Southern States. 

A middle-sized tree, attaining sometimes 



124 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

sixty feet high. It thrives best in a cool 
deep loam, contiguous to moisture. 

5. F. PUBESCENS, Walter. Leaflets on short 
petioles, elliptic lanceolate, slightly sharp and 
serrate ; petioles and young branches downy. 
— Downy ash. Eed ash. Native of the 
Northern and Middle States. 

The most irregular-headed of all the ashes. 
The branches are frequently twisted and 
tortuose, very different to the stiffness so 
general in the tribe ; though not attaining 
such large proportions as some other kinds, 
it is more ornamental. It thrives best in a 
moist situation. A fine specimen at Bartram 
is fifty feet high by five feet two inches in 
circumference. 

6. F. QUADEANGULATA, Michaux. Young 
branches quadrangular, nearly sessile, oval 
lanceolate, sharply serrate, downy beneath. — 
Blue ash. Native of the Western States. 

I have seen but one small tree, in the arbore- 
tum of Mr. Pierce. It has the appearance of 
being very ornamental. It is said to grow 
sixty or seventy feet high, and to require 
less moisture than most of our other species. 

7. F. SAMBUCIFOLIA, Willclenoiv. Leaflets 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 125 

ovate lanceolate, sessile; the midrib hairy 
beneath. Calyx wanting. — Black ash. Na- 
tive of the Korthern and Middle States. 

As an ornamental tree, this possesses few 
points of interest. It has a coarse formal 
habit, pushes forth its leaves late in spring, 
and sheds them early in fall, and when leafless, 
has no point of beauty beyond a dingy, smoky, 
disagreeable blackness, which may occasion- 
ally please by its evident harmony with 
wintriness and dulness. It prefers a moist 
situation. 

Gleditschia, Linnoeus. — Nat. Ord. Faba- 
ceae. Polygamia, Dioecia, Linn. Hermaphro- 
dite flowers with a 4-cleft calyx. Corolla 4- 
petalled. Stamens 6. Pistil 1. — Male calyx 
8-leaved. Corolla 3 -petalled. — Female calyx 
5 -leaved, corolla 5 -petalled. 

1. G. TRiACANTHOS, lAnncEus. Leaflets 
ovate oblong. Frequently, very spiny. 
Spines axillary. — Honey locust. 

The most usual height is fifty feet. Opinions 
are divided in regard to the value of this tree 
in the landscape. When in fruit, with its 
large bean-like pods, it has a pleasing aspect. 

11* 



126 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

Its formidable-looking spines and extremely 
thin foliage, detract from its otlierwise agree- 
able appearance. 

In spite of its many defects, its place in 
some situations cannot be better supplied. 
There is a fine specimen at Bartram, but the 
winds have made sad havoc with it. It is 
ninety feet high and eight feet in circumfer- 
ence. It thrives best in a deep rich loam, and 
is readily propagated from seed sown early 
in the spring. 

GoRDONiA, Ellis. — Nat. Ord. Ternstro- 
miacese. Monadelphia, Polyandria, Linn. 
Calyx of 5-sepals, permanent. Petals 5, slightly 
united at the base. Style short, crowned by 
a 5 -cornered peltate stigma. Capsules 5 -celled, 
5-valved. 

1. G. LASIANTHUS, Liunceus. Leaves very 
smooth, stiff, and shining, slightly serrate. 
Flowers on long peduncles. Capsule some- 
what conical, tapering at the top. — Loblolly 
bay. Native of the Southern States. 

I am not sure I am right in including this 
tree as being in our neighborhood. The 
Bartram specimens have died out. I copy 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 127 

the following description from Micliaux : 
"The leaves are evergreen, from three to six 
inches long, alternate, oval, acuminate, slightly 
toothed, and smooth and shining on the npper 
surface. The flowers are more than an inch 
broad, white and sweet-scented. They begin 
to appear about the middle of July, and bloom 
in succession during two or three months. 
This tree possesses the agreeable singularity 
of blooming when only three or four feet 
high. From twenty -five to thirty feet of its 
trunk is perfectly straight. The small diverg- 
ency of its branches near the trunk, give it 
a regular pyramidal form; but as they ascend 
they spread more loosely, like other trees of 
the forest." " The seed germinate succesfully 
in wet places among sphagnum moss." 

2. GoRDONiA PUBESCENS, WiUdenow. 
Leaves lanceolate, slightly downy and serrate. 
Mowers sessile, capsule round. Franklinia 
of Marshal — Franklin- tree. Banks of the 
Altahama, Georgia. 

In the Bartram garden this tree grows to 
about thirty feet high, and has a diameter of 
from nine to twelve inches. The finest speci- 
men lately blew off in a gale. It has a very 



128 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

erect habit of growth, and is very much in- 
clined to throw ont small branchlets to its 
base. The flowers, which are white, like 
a single camellia, and sweet-scented, appear 
at the ends of the young branches, continuing 
from July till frost. It seems to thrive best 
in a light rich loam, contiguous to moisture; 
and may be propagated by either seeds or 
layers. 

Gymnocladus, Lamarck. — Nat Ord. Faba- 
ceae. Dioecia, Decandria, Linn. Corolla of 
5 equal petals. Fruit a broad flattened 
legume. Seeds roundish. 

G. CANADENSIS, Lamarck. Leaves doubly 
pinnate. — Kentucky coffee. 

A tree of noble proportions ; with a red- 
dish-gray, straight trunk, and heavy luxuri- 
ant-looking foliage. Denuded of its leaves 
by the frost, its branches still interest by their 
crooked, picturesque appearance, an interest 
sometimes heightened by the large seed-pods, 
which stay on till spring. 

It thrives well in a loose loam, which, if 
deep, will grow it to a great size. The best 
specimen at Bartram is ninety-three feet high 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 129 

and six feet in circumference. There is also 
a very fine specimen in Marshall's garden, 
wHch is probably as high, and seven feet in 
circumference. 

It is raised from seeds or by cuttings of 
the roots. The former are sown early in the 
spring. The latter method is most generally 
adopted. The roots are cut into lengths of 
two or three inches, planted in boxes with the 
largest end even with the surface, about the 
end of the winter season, and the boxes placed 
in a slight bottom heat. "When the cuttings 
are rooted, they are put out in nursery rows, 
and after their first season's growth, are cut 
down to a few inches of the ground, when 
they spring up afresh with a vigorous start. 

Halesia, Ellis. — Nat. Ord. Styracacese. 
Dodecandria, or Monadelphia, Monogynia, 
Linn. Calyx 4-toothed, superior, corolla 4- 
cleft, twisted to the left. Nut winged ; 2- 
seeded. 

1. H. DIPTERA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
petioles smooth and even. Fruit with two 
large and two small wings. — Two-winged 
Halesia. Native of Georgia. 



130 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Is not easily distinguislied from H. tetrap- 
tera wlien young. A close attention to the 
leaves will enable one to distingmsh them. 
When in flower or fruit the distinction is 
striking. It does not grow so large as the 
other kind, but the flowers are handsomer. 

It may be raised from seeds, or by grafting 
on the tetraptera. Seeds should be sown, as 
soon as they are ripe, in a light loam. They 
must never be allowed to get dry, or they 
will not appear till the following year. It 
thrives best in a cool deep loam. A speci- 
men at Bartram in dry gravel is about fifteen 
feet high and nine inches in circumference. 
, 2. H. TETRAPTERA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
petioles glandular. IN'ut 4-winged. — Snow- 
drop tree. Native of the Southern States. 
Flowers in April. 

The tree is round-headed, somewhat pen- 
dulous and irregular, very light and twiggy ; 
when covered with its white flowers it is very 
ornamental. The best Bartram specimen is 1 
fifty feet high and three feet six inches in 
circumference. It will do pretty well in any 
dry soil, but best in a deep rich loam. It is 
easily propagated by seeds, as No. 1. 



OF OENAMENTAL TREES. 131 

Hamamelis, Linn(jeus. — Nat Ord. Hama- 
melidaceas. Tetrandria, Digynia, Linn. Often 
monoecious, dioecious, or polygamous. Calyx 
8-4-leaved. Petals 4. Stamens 8, 4 sterile. 
Ovary ending in 2-3 styles at tlie apex. Cap- 
sules leathery, 2 -celled, throwing the seeds to 
a distance on bursting. 

1. H. VIRGINICA, Linnceus, Leaves round- 
ish ovate, sharply toothed, alternate. — Witch 
hazel. Native of the Middle States. 

Naturally but a shrub, but a handsome 
small tree in cultivation. It sends out its 
yellomsh small flowers immediately after 
the fall of the leaf; the fruit of the previous 
season ripening at the same time. The foliage 
much resembles that of the hazel. It seems 
to thrive well in any situation, whether dry 
or moist, stony or clayey ; in exposed situ- 
ations or the deepest shade. The best speci- 
men of Bar tram is about fifteen feet high and 
ten inches in circumference. It may be raised 
from seeds or layers. The former generally 
lie in the ground two years before they grow. 

Hibiscus, Linnaeus, — Nat Ord, Malvaceas. 
Monadelphia, Polyandria, Lin7i. Involucre 



132 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

of many bracts, inner one nearly entire. 
Styles united. Stigmas 5-10-lieaded. Capsule 
5-10-celled. 

H. SYRiACUS, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
wedge-shaped, deeply cut. — Althaea frutex. 
Native of Syria. 

A well-known small tree, although, it is 
most commonly seen as a shrub. Its flowers 
constitute its chief value. These are of every 
shade of color, even to the yellow, though 
that variety is now scarce. It does best in a 
deep rich loam, and will do well in any soil 
but a wet one. It is best propagated from 
seeds sown in spring, which will soon come 
up and make good plants. They will also 
do pretty well by cuttings put in early in 
spring in light soil, in a warm yet somewhat 
shaded situation. By layers they do very 
well. 

Fine specimens, from fifteen to twenty 
feet high, are common in the vicinity. 

HiPPOPH^, LiimcEus. — Nat. Ord. Eleagna- 
cese. Dioecia, Tetrandria, Z/mrz. Barren flowers 
in catkins. Anthers linear, without filaments. 
Fertile flowers solitary. Calyx tubular, 



OF OEXAMENTAL TREES. 133 

cloven at the summit. Stigma awl-sliaped. 
Nut one-seeded, surrounded by a berry-like 
calyx. 

H. EHAMNOIDES, Linn. Leaves linear lan- 
ceolate, silvery. Berry orange. — Sea buck- 
thorn. Native of Europe. Flowers in May. 

A bumelia-like small tree, well worthy of 
cultivation either for its beautiful foliage or 
its berries. It will thrive in the most barren 
soils. It is readily propagated from layers 
or from suckers, which in some soils are so 
numerous as to be troublesome. There is a 
specimen about three feet high growing in. 
the garden of John Evans. 

Ilex, Linn. — Nat. Ord. Aquifoliacese. Te- 
trandria, Tetragynia, Linn. Flowers (from 
abortion) dioeciously polygamous. Calyx 4- 
6 -toothed, remaining attached to the fruit. 
Petals of the corolla equal in number to the 
sepals of the calyx ; slightly adhering at the 
base. Berry 4-5-seeded. 

1. I. AQUIFOLIUM, Linn. Leaves ovate, 
acute, spiny, shining, wavy. Flowers axil- 
lary, subumbelled. — English holly. 
12 



134 AMEKICAN HANDBOOK 

In Britain, this rises forty feet high, or 
more. It is one of the handsomest ever- 
greens. It is considered scarcely hardy in 
Philadelphia. In the very severe winter of 
1851-2, a specimen at Springbrook, grafted 
on the I. opaca, came out uninjured, while 
another close by on its own roots suffered 
very much. It prefers a cool deep loam, 
and a situation shaded from our hot suns. 
It is rather difficult to transplant, unless it 
has been frequently removed already. I 
prefer the month of May for the operation, 
taking advantage of some rainy " spell" for 
that purpose. They will often do well re- 
moved in August or September. 

It may be propagated by seeds. These 
are generally put into a heap of sand to fer- 
ment tosrether for twelve months. If sown 
as soon as gathered, they lie two years in 
the ground before germination. They ought 
to be transplanted at the end of the first 
season's growth, and great care afterwards 
taken to prevent their getting dry. If they 
once lose their leaves, they are not easily 
recovered. It may also be grafted on ISTo. 2 
in March or April, or budded in August or 



OF ORNAMENTAL TEEES. 135 

September. Buds take best on two year old 
wood. 

There are several beautiful varieties intro- 
duced, as well as many others that deserve 
to be. Amongst the former are the ferox, 
having its leaves a nest of spiny bristles; 
the golden-leaved^ and silver-edged. The old 
catalogues of foreign nurserymen reckon 
over forty varieties. 

2. I. OPACA, Alton. Leaves ovate, acute, 
flat, smooth, spiny. Flowers at the base of 
last season's shoots. — American holly. Na- 
tive of the Middle and Southern States. 

It is rather nice in its choice of soils, 
refusing unconditionally to "do good" in 
cold, wet, or clayey ones. In a deep rich 
loam it can scarcely be excelled by any ever- 
green I know ; and it will grow in dry or 
barren places. It is seldom of so dark a hue 
as No. 1; but that contrasts as well with its 
light-red berries. The best Bartram speci- 
men is thirty-two feet high, by forty inches 
in circumference at the base. 

Propagation. See No. 1. 

8. I. VOMITORIA, Alton. Leaves alternate, 
distant, oblong, somewhat blunt, serrate, not 



136 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

spiny. — Emetic holly; Soutli Sea tea. Na- 
tive of tlie Southern States. 

A very beautiful small evergreen tree, 
rising from fifteen to eighteen feet high, of a 
pyramidal form, with very dark green foli- 
age, and clothed with beautiful red berries 
throughout the winter. It is scarcely con- 
sidered hardy here, though I believe in most 
cases it is so. 

JuGLANS, Linn. — Nat. Ord. Juglandacese. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Catkins of the 
staminate flowers simple, cylindrical, loosely 
imbricated, with a 5-6-parted scale for a 
calyx. Styles two, very short, with large 
stigmas. Fruit with the husk undivided. 

1. J. CINEREA, Linn. Leaflets mostly eleven, 
oblong lanceolate, oblique or roundish at 
the base, softly pubescent beneath; petioles 
downy. Fruit ovoid, oblong, leathery, downy, 
sticky, or viscid, and the shell of the nut 
deeply striated. — Butternut; white walnut. 
Native of most of the Northern, Middle, and 
Western States. 

The ailanthus has been admired for its 
" oriental" appearance in the landscape. As 



OF OEXAMENTAL TREES. 137 

it is fast growing in disgrace, this tribe is the 
best substitute. This kind seldom exceeds 
fifty feet high, is generally round-headed, 
with an inclination to become flat. The 
finest specimen at Bartram is fifty-five feet 
high and fifty -four inches in circumference. 

It thrives best in a cool, deep, and rich 
loam; and is best propagated by sowing the 
nuts about four inches apart, in rows, earl}' 
in spring, covering them about two inches 
deep. They are in general difficult to trans- 
plant, and the sooner they are removed to 
their final positions the better. They also 
take easily by graftmg on each other. 

2. J. NIGRA, LinncBus. Leaflets about fif- 
teen, ovate lanceolate, nearly heart-shaped 
at the base. Fruit globose, dotted, spongy. 
Nut nearly round, wrinkled. — Black walnut. 

This is a larger tree every way than the 
preceding, and the handsomest of the groiip. 
It is somewhat round-headed, but frequentl}' 
quite cylindrical, or even conical. They 
should always grow by themselves, on ac- 
count of their unneighborly propensity of 
injuring everything growing about them. 
The finest Bartram specimen is eighty feet 

12* 



138 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

higli by four feet ten inclies in circumfer- 
ence. 

The same soil and culture as Ko. 1 suits 
it also. 

8. J. REGIA, Linnoeiis. Leaflets about nine, 
oval or oblong, smooth. Fruit ovate, smooth. 
Nut with a thin shell. — English walnut. 

Not quite so ornamental as either of the 
other two, but still interesting on account of 
its luxuriant growth, fine glossy foliage, deep 
purple branches, and smooth gray stems. 
When old, it is round-headed, often flat, and, 
to most tastes, less interesting. It loves a 
deep, dry, rich loam, especially if it have a 
limestone character. There are many fine 
specimens about Philadelphia. The Bartram 
specimen is but young, but measures forty 
feet high, and thirty-four inches in circum- 
ference. The female flowers are frequently 
killed by spring frosts. 

Propagated by sowing the nuts, or by 
grafting. 

JuNiPERUS, Linnmus. — Nat. Ord. Pinacea?. 
Dioecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male flower a 
conical catkin ; the scales of the catkin each 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 139 

forming a calyx. Stamens tHree. Female, 
calyx 3 -parted. Petals three. Styles three. 
Berry 3 -seeded, irregular. 

1. J. COMMUNIS, Linnceus. Leaves in threes, 
spreading, mucronate. Berries longish. — 
Common juniper. Native of Europe and 
America. 

When usually seen in gardens, it is but a 
shrub, tied up into shapes pyramidal and 
conical; when left to itself, without the inter- 
ference of knife or string, it forms a very 
picturesque small tree. There is such a 
specimen at Bartram, measuring thirty-five 
feet his:h, and two and a half feet in circum- 
ference. It is growing on a dry loam with 
a gravelly subsoil, which seems to suit it 
admirably. There are several varieties, 
amongst which I am inclined to include the 
Swedish juniper, J. suecica^ Miller. 

They may be easily raised from seed sown 
as soon as ripe ; or by cuttings put in sandy 
soil early in the fall, and protected from frost 
through the winter. 

2. J. EXCELS A of Bieher stein. A Siberian 
species, with a fine erect habit of growth and 
glaucous foliage; ought to be hardy in this 



140 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

district ; but, so far as I have hitherto seen, 
has been preserved in cool greenhouses in 
the winter. 

8. J. VIRGINIANA, LinnoRus. Leaves in 
threes, fastened at the base; the younger 
ones imbricate, the older spreading. Berries 
roundish. — Ked cedar. 

A well-known and useful evergreen, often 
growing thirty or forty feet high. It varies 
so much from seed, that to describe its habits 
of growth, would be to particularize each 
individual tree. Sometimes compact, some- 
times very loose; in one case erect and stiff, 
in another gracefully pendent. In some 
places, we see them broadly round-headed, 
in others spiry and conical. The handsomest 
young specimen I have ever seen is in Mr. 
Beckett's (formerly Buonaparte's) grounds, 
at Bordentown ; and with the finest trunk, on 
the grounds of Mr. Cope. The red cedar 
thrives in any dry loose soil that is not too 
rich, but seems to do best in a light cool 
loam. 

It is readily propagated like ISTo. 1. 



OF ORN'AMENTAL TREES. 141 

KcELREUTERiA, Laxmann. — Nat. Ord. Sa- 
pindace^. Octandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
5-parted. Petals mostly 4, with a double 
appendage on the inside. Style acute at the 
apex. Fruit bladdery, 1 -celled above, 3- 
celled below, 3-valved. Leaves alternate. 

K. PANICULATA, Lambert. The only known 
species. Kative of China. 

A very pretty looking small tree, deserv- 
ing a place in every garden for its numerous 
large panicles of yellow flowers, with which 
the tree is covered in July and August. A 
cool deep loam, in a situation partially shaded, 
is well suited to it. In England, it is propa- 
gated from layers and root cuttings. In this 
country it perfects its seed. The specimen 
at Bartram is below the average, being about 
fifteen feet. 

Lagerstr^mia, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Ly- 
thraceas. Polyandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
6-cleft, bell-shaped. Petals 6, curled. Stamens 
with the six outer ones stouter than the rest, 
and longer than the petals. 

L. REGiNA, Roxburgh. Leaves opposite. 



142 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Lagerstrgemia. — Fringe myrtle. Native of 
tlie mountains of tlie East Indies. 

A very beautiful small tree, generally 
treated as a greenhouse plant. A fine speci- 
men on the grounds of the late Nathan Jones, 
Blockley, near Philadelphia, planted many 
years ago by one of the Bartrams, is now 
over thirty feet high, and, when in flower, is 
a most beautiful sight. This is growing in 
a light poor soil. It is sheltered on the 
north-west by the house from wintry winds, 
and partially shaded from the hot sun by 
trees on the south. In cold clays it is gene"" 
rally cut to the ground in winter. 

It is propagated by cuttings or layers. The 
former should be taken off just before the 
fall of the leaf, and placed in sandy soil, 
where they can be protected from frost dur- 
ing winter, and not suffered to get damp. 

Larix, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Pinaceae. 
Monoecia, Monadelphia, Linn.^ or Dioecia. 
Leaves annual, disposed in groups. Cones 
erect. 

1. L. EUROPCEA, Decandolle. Leaves linear, 
soft, one inch long. Cones oblong, ovate, 



OF OENAMENTAL TKEES. 143 

erect, one incli long. — European larch. Moun- 
tains of Europe. 

In ornamental gardening, few trees come 
into service oftener than the larch. It has 
become so associated with rocky, rugged, 
barren scenery, that wherever this is promi- 
nent we almost look for the larch as for a 
necessitv. Its foliaofe is of such an a2:reeable 
light-green hue, and at the same time so soft 
and graceful, while its branches are frequently 
drooping and always slender, that it is sure 
to please. It has the advantage, too, of thriv- 
ing in the dryest and most barren soils, where 
little else will, and thereby turning a useless 
piece of ground into a source of pleasure 
and profit. There are several fine specimens 
both at Bartram and in Marshall's. The 
finest of the former is one hundred and eight 
feet high, and five feet four inches in circum- 
ference. 

The seed should be sown early in spring 
in boxes of light sandy soil, or in beds of the 
same material ; cover about a quarter of an 
inch thick, and keep them carefully moist 
till the plants appear. If sown thinly, they 



144 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

will be better not transplanted for a couple 
of years. 

2. L. AMERICANA, Michaux. Leaves about 
three-quarters of an incli long. Cones small, 
ovate roundish, with few scales. — American 
larch; hackmatack. 

Though closely allied botanically with No. 
1, it is very different in general appearance. 
The foliage has a bluish tinge, the branches 
less drooping, and more divaricating. 

In a level piece of ground, standing singly, 
I think it more beautiful than the other. It 
thrives best in a deep cool loam, and in a 
rather moist situation, and may be propagated 
as No. 1. 

The best Bartram specimen is quite young, 
but is about forty feet high and two feet nine 
inches in circumference. 

Laurus, Linnoeus. — Nat. Ord. Lauracese. 
Enneandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx want- 
ing. Corolla 6 -parted. Stamens arranged 
in a double series, the outer ones with dis- 
tinct simple filaments, the three inner ones 
connate at the base, bearing glands. Fruit 
a one-seeded drupe. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 145 

L. SASSAFRAS, Linnceus. Leaves entire or 
3-lobed. Flowers terminal, frequently dioe- 
cious. Buds and pedicels downy. — Sassafras. 

In my opinion, one of the most interesting 
trees that can be in a landscape, tlie glau- 
cous green of its foliage is so uncommon ; 
and it is one of the first to aid in forming 
that beautiful picture of autumnal forest 
scenery which has so enraptured European 
travellers, and gives the American landscape 
a position amongst the special beauties of the 
world. The sassafras generally grows in a 
conical form ; but the leaves are mostly formed 
on the branches in lines running horizontally, 
causing a very pleasing effect in light and 
shade. Towards the fall, the leaves turn to 
a reddish-brown, turning up at the edges, 
with a beautiful appearance. Unfortunately, 
nature seldom gives her beauties unalloyed; 
and, in the case before us, the suckers which 
it perseveringiy throws up in spite of all 
opposition, render it objectionable. It is 
readily propagated from suckers, or by seeds 
sown in June, as soon as ripe. It thrives 
well in dry sandy loam, but will grow in any 
situation. The best Bar tram specimen is 
13 



146 AMEKICAN HANDBOOK 

fifty feet high, and forty-two inches in circum- 
ference. 

LiQUlDAMBAR, Linnoius. — Nat. Ord. Altin- 
giacese. Monoecia, polyandria, Linn. Male 
flower with a common 4-leaved calyx, with- 
out a corolla. Female calyx in a globe, 4- 
leaved, without a corolla. Styles 2. Capsules 
many, in a globe, 2-valved, many seeded. 

L. STYRACIFLUA, LinncBus. Leaves pal- 
mate-lobed, with the sinuses of the base of 
the veins villose. — Sweet gum. Native of the 
Middle States. 

This varies very much according to the 
circumstance or situation wherein it grows. 
In the shade, or surrounded by other trees, 
it has very few side branches, and grows ap 
with a clean smooth stem to a great height. 
In a wet soil, but in an exposed situation, it 
grows tall, with a very bulky trunk, and a 
loose cylindrical appearance. In a cool, deep, 
rich loam, it becomes very spreading and 
round-headed, and in that state is one of the 
prettiest of trees. Its star-like cut leaves, 
with their beautiful gloss, move, like some 
poplars, with the lightest breezes; and, ex- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 147 

posed to tlie full sun, give animation to 
scenery. Its branclies frequently present a 
curious corky appearance. In favorable cir- 
cumstances I have known it grow eighty feet 
hifi^h, with a circumference of seven feet. The 
Bartram specimen, on dry stony soil, is nearly 
decayed, and is forty-five feet high, and four 
and a half feet in circumference. It is raised 
from seeds, sown as soon as ripe in a light 
loam, in a cool situation, slightly protected in 
winter by a few leaves thrown over the bed. 
Most of them will appear in the following 
spring. 

LiRiODENDRON, Limiceus. — Nat. Ord. Mag- 
noliaceae. Polyandria, Polygynia, Linn. Car- 
pels not opening to let out the seed, as in 
Magnolia ; winged, arranged in a spike. Ca- 
lyx 3 -leaved, deciduous. Corolla 6-petalled, 
bell-shaped. 

L. TULIPIFERA, LinncBus. Leaves 8-lobed, 
the terminal lobe appearing as if abruptly 
cut off. — Tulip-tree. ISTative of the Northern 
and Middle States. Flowers in June. 

One of the loftiest of American deciduous 
trees. It rises with a stem perfectly straight; 



148 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

and, wlien crowded, soon loses its side- 
branches. Wlien tlie tree becomes old, the 
main branches cnrve downwards, affording a 
readily distinguishing mark when it is desti- 
tute of foliage. When unsurrounded by any 
other tree, it branches out close to the 
ground, and presents a fine conical appear- 
ance till it gets old, when it becomes rather 
irregular and rough in its appearance. Few 
trees are better fitted to form a single object 
in a park or on a lawn ; the very peculiarity 
of its foliage and appearance suggesting the 
exclusiveness in which it would stand in order 
to show off its entire beauty. It is short- 
lived in towns, and soon shows a distaste for 
city life; evidently preferring the times of 
the Indians to the modern march of civiliza- 
tion. It thrives best in strong, clayey, or 
micaceous soils. They are easily raised from 
seed, sown as soon as ripe, in any loamy soil 
in a shady situation. They will appear the 
next spring. They should be transplanted 
every year till they go into their permanent 
situations, as, otherwise, it is next to impos- 
sible to remove them successfully. The 
finest specimen I am acquainted with in cul- 



OF OKN'AMEN'TAL TREES. 149 

tivation is at Bartram, whicli is ninety feet 
liigb. and seven feet eight inches in circum- 
ference. 

Maclura, Nuttall — Nat Ord. Moraceas. 
Dioecia, Tetrandria, Linn. Male flowers in a 
very short, nearly sessile panicle of about 
twelve flowers. Female flowers in close 
heads on a short peduncle. 

M. AURANTIACA, Nuttall. Leavcs ovate 
acuminate, of a deep shining green. Male 
plant with smaller leaves. Fruit as large as 
a good-sized orange, golden yellow, verru- 
cose. — Osange orange. Native of Arkansas. 

As an ornamental tree, this is almost too 
coarse to be beautiful ; yet its shining leaves, 
and pretty fruit, will always insure it a place 
in collections. The best Bartram specimen 
(female) is about thirty feet high and four 
feet in circumference. The male about fif- 
teen feet high. It is best propagated from 
seeds obtained from the neighborhood of a 
staminate plant, and sown in drills like peas 
early in the spring; the following year 
place in nursery-rows eighteen inches apart. 

13^ 



150 AMERICA^ HAl^DBOOK 

It prefers a ricli moist loam, thougli it will 
grow in any situation. 

Magnolia, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Magnolia- 
ce£e. Polyandria, Poljgjnia, Linn. Calyx 3- 
leaved. Petals 9. Carpels collected gene- 
rally in a crowded spike, each, opening by 
the external surface; 1-2-seeded. Seeds 
berry-like, hanging from the carpels by 
threads when ripe. 

1. M. ACUMINATA, LinncBus. Leaves ovate, 
tapering to a point. Fruit cylindrical, resem- 
bling, before ripe, a small cucumber. — Blue 
magnolia ; cucumber-tree. 

Cultivated, this is the finest of the family. 
In common with all the deciduous magno- 
lias, this is very artificial in its appearance, 
and well adapted on that account to many 
peculiar situations in a garden. The fine 
specimens at Bartram are rather round or 
flattish-headed, having lost their lower 
branches; but the specimens in Marshall's 
garden are of the most beautiful and regular 
conical shape. Having no leaves but at the 
extremities, we look up into this specimen 
as to an immense umbrella. This is about 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 151 

ninety years old, and is seven feet ten inches 
in circumference, and perhaps eighty feet 
high. The Bartram one is about the same 
height, and but seven feet in circumference. 
It is a native of the mountainous regions of 
the Middle States, and thrives well in any 
deep loam on a dry bottom. 

They are very easily propagated by seeds 
sown as soon as ripe. They require early 
transplanting to their final positions; or, 
otherwise, frequently removed. They take 
readily grafted on each other. 

2. M. AURicuLATA, Lamar ch. Leaves ovate, 
narrowed towards the base, and swelling out 
into lobes or ears. Fruit smaller than M. ma- 
crophylla. — Long-leaved cucumber-tree. Na- 
tive of the Middle States. Flowers in May. 

This seems to excel in cultivation any- 
thing in a wild state. It is perhaps more 
artificial in its character than the last, as it 
has larger leaves and denser foliage, of a 
paler hue, contrasting well with the depth of 
its own shade. Its branches are stififer than 
any of the others. It thrives in similar situa- 
tions to the last, and may be propagated and 
managed in the same way. 



152 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

The best Bartram specimen is seventy 
feet high and five and a half feet in circum- 
ference. 

The M. PYRIMIDATA of Bartram is not in 
the collection now, and is probably a variety 
of this. 

8. M. CONSPICUA, Salishury. Leaves ob- 
ovate, abruptly terminating to a point. 
Elowers appearing before the leaves. — Chi- 
nese magnolia ; yulan. Flowering in April. 

It is a native of China, where it is said to 
have been in cultivation over one thousand 
years ; and well it deserves to be. Flower- 
ing in the greatest profusion, and at a season 
when there is nothing else in bloom, and 
these flowers, too, combining the fragrance 
of the lily with the beauty of the rose — what 
can be more desirable ? It thrives best in a 
deep rich loam in a sheltered locality. In 
England, it seldom grows over ten or twelve 
feet; here, it will probably rival it in its native 
localities. The Bartram specimen is small; 
but there are many fine specimens in the 
vicinity of the city. It is readily propagated 
from seed, which it sparingly produces. The 
best plan is by grafting on the acuminata. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 153 

4. M. CORDATA, Michaux. Leaves heart- 
shaped; flowers yellow; fruit ovate, nearly 
cylindrical. — Heart-leaved magnolia. Native 
of Georgia and Carolina. 

A very hardy round-headed species, much 
valued for its yellowish flowers, appearing in 
July. In its native places it grows about 
fifty feet high. There are very fine speci- 
mens in Hamilton's old garden at the Wood- 
lands, and also in Mr. Pierce's arboretum; 
one specimen four feet in circumference. 

5. M. GLAUCA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate 
elliptic, white or glaucous beneath; almost 
evergreen. — Small or swamp magnolia ; white 
bay. Kative of the Middle and Southern 
States. 

This tree is naturally a native of swampy 
places; but I think that, in a good deep loam, 
it will excel anything indulging in its swamp- 
loving habits. It grows luxuriantly in such 
situations, and very compact and symmetri- 
cal; its deep-red seeds contrasting handsome- 
ly with the gray green of its foliage. The 
best Bar tram specimen is about twenty feet 
high. 

The M. hngifolia of Alton is but a variety 



154 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

of this. M. Thompsonia is a hybrid, between 
this and M. tripetala. 

6. M. GRANDiFLOEA, Limiceus. Leaves 
evergreen, mostly inclining to oval, stiff and 
leathery, more or less rusty beneath. — Large- 
flowered magnolia. Native of the Southern 
States. Flowers in June and July. 

One of the most beautiful products of the 
vegetable kingdom when in its own soil; 
often reaching ninety feet high. It is only 
hardy in Philadelphia when grown in dry 
soils and sheltered places. The one planted 
by John Bartram is still in existence, but 
every few winters it is killed to the ground. 
It loves a loose, deep, and rich soil, rather 
dry, yet contiguous to »moisture. May be 
propagated as No. 1, by seeds, layers, or 
grafts. 

There are many beautiful varieties, of 
which the handsomest is perhaps M. 0. prcB- 
cox, flowering earlier and larger. There are 
some fine specimens of this at Bartram, but 
protected in winter. Mr. Pierce has one in 
his arboretum which stands out pretty well. 
7. M.MACROFHYLLA, Michaux. Leaves large, 
obovate, slightly cordate at the base. Petals 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 155 

six; ovate, incurved. Fruit ovate. — Large- 
leaved magnolia. Native of Tennessee. 
Flowers in June and July. 

This is a remarkable tree, wandering far 
away in appearance from tlie usual forms of 
arboreal vegetation in temperate climates. 
It is in every way larger and stronger than 
M. tripetala^ and, like that kind, well calcu- 
lated to adorn very artificial scenery. It 
thrives pretty well in the shade of other 
trees. It seems to do best in a strong loamy 
soil, if not wet. A fine specimen at Bartram 
is about thirty feet high and twelve inches 
in circumference, which is growing in a light 
loam on a bed of brick earth. It is easily 
raised from seeds, as Ko. 1, but is considered 
very difficult to transplant, unless often re- 
moved when young, and "puddled" before 
being removed to any distance. The finest 
specimen I have seen is in the grounds of 
Mr. Pierce. 

8. M. SOUL ANGE ANA is a hybrid between 
M. acuminata and M. purjpurea. It can scarce- 
ly rank as a tree, though of a much stronger 
habit than purpurea. Few things make so 
pretty a bush as it does. 



156 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

9. M. TRiPETALA, Linnxus. Leaves lanceo- 
late, inclining often to wedge-shaped. Petals 
about twelve; exterior ones spreading. Fruit 
almost cylindrical. — Umbrella-tree. Native 
of tlie Middle and Southern States. Flowers 
in June. 

Its large leaves and loose flowing branches 
give it a peculiar appearance, well meriting 
its popular name. Near any artificial deco- 
rations, in a garden, it is a very appropriate 
tree. Its leaves fall with the first frost. It 
thrives well in a cool deep loam, having an 
abhorrence to soils of a dry, stony nature. 
The best Bartram specimen is about forty 
feet high and three feet in circumference. 

It is propagated and cultivated as the 
others. 

MoRUS, Tournefort. — Nat Ord. Moraceae. 
Monoecia, Tetrandria, Linn. Calyx 4-parted. 
Flowers (in the male) in loose spikes without 
a corolla. Female flowers in dens-v.,,, pmkes. 
Stigmas two. Calyx becoming a be::; 
bearing one seed. j> 

1. M. ALBA, Linno&us. Leaves obliquely 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 157 

cordate, shining. — Wliite mulberry. Native 
of China. 

The celebrated morus multicaulis is a va- 
riety of this. It usually has a spreading 
irregular head; the leaves mostly shining, 
with dark gray bark. It loves a rich soil. 
It may be easily raised by seeds, layers, eyes, 
or cuttings. A specimen at Bartram mea- 
sures thirty-one feet high and thirty-three 
inches in circumference. There are also 
varieties with black fruit. 

2. M. RUBRA, Desfontaines. Leaves cordate, 
hairy beneath, scabrous above. Catkins cy- 
lindrical. Fruit deep purple. — Red mulberry. 
Native of the Middle and Southern States. 

This is the loftiest of the mulberries, fre- 
quently reaching sixty feet. It is very regu- 
larly round-headed, and the leaves very large, 
giving it a bold and strong appearance. The 
foliage has a deep green hue, but yet lighter 
than in the M. nigra. The rich-colored fruit, 
with -^'hich it abounds in June and July, 
"its interest. It thrives best in a deep 
^m, in a partially shaded situation. It 
yis raised either from seeds or layers. A spe- 
14 



158 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

cimen at Bartram measures fifty feet high 
and forty-nine inches in circnmference. 

3. M. NiGEA, Lmnceus. Leaves cordate, 
rugged, smaller than the preceding. — Black 
or English mulberry. Native of the south 
of Europe. 

This much resembles the other, and is 
adapted to the same circumstances. The 
fruit is smaller, and nearly round. 

ISTegundo, Moench. — Nat Ord. Aceraceas. 
Dioecia, Pentandria, Linnceus. Calyx small ; 
4-5-toothed. Petals wanting. Anthers 4-5, 
linear, sessile. Female flowers in racemes; 
the male ones in bundles. 

K. ACEEoiDES, Moench. Leaves of 8-5 leaf- 
lets. Leaflets rhombic ovate, coarsely cut 
and toothed. — Box elder ; ash-leaved maple. 
Native of the Middle and Southern States. 

Not so common in gardens as it ought to 
be. In favorable situations it is a stately 
tree, growing fifty or sixty feet. When 
crowded by other trees, the trunk seldom 
grows straight, and, indeed, never looks so 
well in any respect as when grown by itself. 
It very much resembles the ash. It has a 



OF OENAMENTAL TEEES. 159 

darker liiie than most of tliat family. The 
trunk is very apt to throw out knots and 
small spray, which, in some situations, add 
to its interest. It will thrive well in any 
soil, except the driest, in which it is usually 
short-lived. It can be propagated by seeds, 
layers, and, with care, by cuttings. It is 
generally raised from seeds, like the maples. 
The best Bartram specimen measures sixty 
feet high and ^ve feet two inches in circum- 
ference, 

Nyssa, Zmnceus. — N'at. Ord. Alangiacese. 
Polygamia, Dioecia, Linn. Calyx of stami- 
nate flowers 5 -parted, without a corolla. Sta- 
mens 5-10. Pistillate flowers 6-stamened. 
Fruit a 1 -seeded drupe. Nut oval, striated. 

1. N". MULTIFLOEA, Wa7igenheim. Leaves 
oval and obovate, often acuminate. Fertile 
peduncles about 8-flowered; berry black. — 
Sour gum ; tupelo. Native of the Middle 
and Southern States. 

There is great difficulty in identifying the 
different species of nyssa. In this neighbor- 
hood they vary very much. There are two 
very different kinds, which, without taking 



160 AMEEICAN" HANDBOOK 

upon myself to pronounce them specifically 
distinct, are yet sufficiently so to be practical. 
The first variety is round-headed, the branches 
extending out a long way, and very rigidly, 
frequently very ruggedly tortuose and twist- 
ing ; the leaves very much shining, and the 
berries nearly round. It seldom exceeds 
fifty feet high. The leaves turn to a yellowish- 
red in the fall. The other grows very erect 
and tall, with few side branches. It fre- 
quently reaches eighty, or even ninety feet, 
with a circumference of eight or nine. The 
leaves turn to a deep purple in the fall. The 
first variety is as frequently found ,in the 
very driest as in the wettest places ; the lat- 
ter in situations which can neither be called 
wet nor dry. They are indispensable trees 
in ornamental planting. The best specimen 
(round-headed var.) at Bartram, growing on 
very gravelly soil, is forty-five feet high and 
forty-eight inches in circumference. There 
is a fine specimen of the other kind, but the 
soil it is in being dry, will not permit it to 
live there many years more. It may be pro- 
pagated from seeds sown early in the spring, 
or as soon as ripe. They seldom grow the 



OF OENAMENTAL TKEES. 161 

first season. The soil in which, they are sown 
must not get dry, or they will never vegetate. 
The yonng plants should be removed early 
into nursery-rows, and frequently removed 
until finally transplanted. This mode will 
make this tree capable of being easily re- 
moved, which is generally supposed to be 
next to impossible. 

OSTRYA, Michaux. — Nat. Ord. Corylacese. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male flowers; 
scales orbicular-ovate; anthers conspicuously 
bearded at the summit. Female catkins 
linear, without scales, but having a small 
membrane inclosing each flower. Nut ob- 
long, included in the enlarged bladder-like 
membrane. In other respects resembling 
Carpinus. 

0. YiRGiNiCA, Michaux. Leaves elliptic- 
ovate, acuminate, sharply serrate. Cones 
oblong; buds acute. — Hop-hornbean ; iron- 
wood. Native of the Middle States. 

A very pretty tree, greatly improved by 
cultivation. Its head is then spreading, 
light, graceful, and as elegant as a birch, 
and becomes near fifty feet high. It will 

14* 



162 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

thrive pretty well in dry, gravelly soils, pro- 
vided they be not on a bleak exposure. In- 
deed, it seems to love company, and, when 
that is the case, is not over-fastidions about 
the quality of the soil. It may be propa- 
gated as the common hornbean. The best 
Bartram specimen is fifty-four feet high and 
three feet six inches in circumference. 

Paliurus, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Eham- 
nacese. Pentandria, Trigynia, Linn. Ca- 
lyx 5. Petals 5, upon a glandular disk 
adnate to the calyx. Fruit dry, girded with 
a broad membranous wing; 3-celled. Seeds 
ovate. 

P. ACULEATUS, Lamarck. Leaves ovate, ser- 
rulate, smooth, 8 -nerved, with two spines at 
the base, one straight, the other recurved. — 
Christ's Thorn. Native of the south of 
Europe. 

A small tree, of a very erect habit of 
growth, and bluish, shining leaves. The 
large spines are among the peculiarities that 
give it prominence. It thrives well in dry, 
gravelly soils, or in the deepest shade. It 
usually sends up occasional suckers, by 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 163 

whicli it may be propagated ; or more exten- 
sively by layers, put down before tlie burst- 
ing of tlie buds in spring ; or by seeds, when 
they can be obtained, which, however, often 
lie two years in the ground before growing. 
The best Bartram specimen is thirty feet 
high and two feet in circumference. 

Pa VIA, Boerlidve. — Ndt. Ord. Sapindaceae. 
Heptandria, Monogynia, Li7in. Calyx tu- 
bular. Petals 4, erect, narrow. Stamens 
straight. Capsules smooth. 

P. FLAVA, Be Gandolle. Leaflets 5-7, ellip- 
tic-oblong, acute at both ends, equally ser- 
rate. — Yellow buckeye. Native of the 
Southern and Western States. Flowers in 
June. 

Grows considerably larger than the British 
horsechestnut, but has a less spreading and 
beautiful head. Its habit of growth is quite 
rugged and stiff, strongly resembling, at a 
distance, magnolia auriculata. It thrives well 
in a loose loam, on a dry bottom. The best 
specimen at Bartram measures 110 feet high 
and seven feet one inch in circumference. 

In the nurseries, these are usually grafted, 



164 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

the flowers varying slightly in color from 
seed. Seed treated as horsecliestnuts, make 
fine plants. The flowers appear later than 
the horsechestnut, and the leaves fall earlier. 
The P. macrostachya is a strong growing 
and highly ornamental shrub, of which there 
are several varieties. 

Paulownia, Siehold. — Nat. Ord. Scrophu- 
lariaceae. Didynamia, Angiospermia, Linn. 
Calyx 5-cleft; segments equal, coriaceous, 
covered with a rusty down. Corolla 2 -lipped, 
imbricated in its aestivation ; the two upper 
lobes external. Fruit ovate, with a sharp 
point. 

P. IMPERIALIS, Siehold. The only known 
species is a native of Japan, and thrives ad- 
mirably in this climate. It is as rapid a 
grower as the ailanthus^ the wood and trunk 
of the tree also resembling it. The leaves 
are rather coarse, looking like large melon 
leaves ; but the beauty of the large clusters 
of sky-blue flowers which appear in June, 
covers all blemishes. It will thrive in any 
good loam, and may be readily propagated 
by cuttings of the roots. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 165 

There are many fine specimens, though 
but recently introduced, in some of our 
streets, at Kosedale, and many other places 
in the vicinity. 

PiCEA, Linh. — Nat Ord. Pinaceae. Monoe- 
cia, Monadelphia, Linn. Cones erect, cylin- 
drical ; scales not thickened at the tip. Leaves 
more entirely 2 -rowed than in ahies. 

1. P. BALSAME A, i^m?2cew5. Leaves solitary, 
silvery beneath, about a half inch long, some- 
what recurved. Cones violet-colored, four 
inches long, a half inch broad, tapering to- 
wards the top. Seed about half the size of the 
silver fir. — B alsam fir. Native of the Northern 
and Middle States. 

A well known and widely cultivated spe- 
cies. It is readily distinguished from the 
silver fir by the cones, and easily by practice 
in the foliage and habit of the tree. It is a 
very pretty conical tree while young, but be- 
coming very meagre-looking by age, unless 
in a very deep loam. It does well in most 
soils, or situations that are not too wet or stiff. 
The best Bartram specimen is sixty -two feet 



166 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

high, and three feet two inches in circum- 
ference. 

The seed should be sown early in the 
spring in a bed of sandy loam or peat, rather 
thinly, and but slightly covered with soil. 
They will appear in a few weeks. When two 
years old, they may be removed to nursery 
rows, planted about eighteen inches apart. 

2. P. CEPHALONiCA, Louchn. Leaves awl- 
shaped, terminating in a long, sharp prickle; 
almost sessile, flat, dark-green above, silvery 
beneath, the base of the leaf of a lighter color 
than the rest of it. — Cephalonian silver fir. 

Growing about sixty feet high in its native 
country. The largest I have seen near Phila- 
delphia is not over three. It seems most at 
home in a cool sandy loam. The buds of 
this species and of P. pectinata^ are very apt 
to be destroyed in severe winters, while the 
plants are young. A little cotton wrapt 
aroimd the buds of the leading shoots will be 
a sufficient protection. 

3. P. FRAZERi, Pursh. Leaves short, 
crowded, flat, emarginate, a half inch long, 
silvery beneath. Cones oblong ovate, bracts 
obcordate, mucronate, reflexed outwards. — 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 167 

Double Balsam fir. Middle and Southern 
States. 

This is allied to the halsamea^ but is very 
distinct. It is considerably smaller in stature, 
in a wild state seldom exceeding ten feet 
high, though in a state of cultivation it will 
often double or treble this. It thrives well 
in similar situations to No. 1, and may be 
treated in the same manner. 

4. P. NOBiLis, Douglass. Leaves falcate, 
short, acute, silvery beneath, scarcely one 
inch long, crowded. Cones erect, six and 
seven inches long, and three inches thick, 
ovate cylindrical, scales broad, bracts broadly 
spathulate, reflexed, covering the scales. — 
Noble fir. North-west coast. 

One of the gigantic pines discovered by 
Douglass. It is considered one of the finest, 
as it certainly is one of the prettiest — supe- 
rior, in my opinion, to the Abies Douglasii. 
Plants in Philadelphia are not over two feet 
high. 

5. P. PECTINATA, London. Leaves flat, ob- 
tuse, with the points turned up, exhibiting 
the two silvery lines running lengthwise with 
the midrib on the under side. Cones in the 



168 AMERICAN" HANDBOOK 

axils of tlie branclies, large, cylindrical, 
bluntly pointed at both ends, about six 
inches long, and two broad. — Silver fir. Na- 
tive of Europe and Asia. 

In a deep rich loam, and a sheltered situa- 
tion, this is one of the most rapid growing 
and interesting firs. The branches usually 
grow stiffly horizontal, and, when in fruit, 
the cones, standing so rigidly erect on the 
axils, give the species quite an unique charac- 
ter. The best specimen at Bartram is ninety- 
five feet high and six feet in circumference. 
In Mr. Pierce's arboretum there are also some 
noble specimens, little, if any, inferior to 
these. In very dry soils it is apt to die out 
in dry summers, and at any rate be but short- 
lived. It may be propagated as No. 1, but 
the seeds should be a little deeper covered. 

6. P. PICHTA, Loudon^ is generally con- 
sidered as only a variety of this, with the 
leaves closer set on the branches, and not so 
silvery beneath. Specimens about here are 
not over two feet high. 

PiNUS, Limioeus. — Nat. Ord. Pinacese. 
Monoecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male catkins 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 169 

grouped. Pollen contained in 2 cells, formed 
in the scale that opens lengthwise. Female, 
ovules 2. Strobile ovately conical in most 
species. Carpels, or outer scales, thickened 
at the tip, exceeding the bracteas or thin 
outer scales in length, and concealing them ; 
persistent. Leaves in groups of two, three, or 
five, each group arising out of a scaly sheath. 
(From Loudon.) 

1. P. CEMBRA, Linnmus. Leaves in 5's,. 
sometimes 3, with three ribs, the ribs serrated, 
one of them green and shining, the other two 
white and opaque. Buds white and without 
resin. Cones about three inches long and 
two and a half broad. — Swiss pine. Native 
of Switzerland and Siberia. 

Though a somewhat old and well-known 
species, it has not become common amongst 
us. 

I have seen no large specimens around 
Philadelphia. It is one of the slowest grow- 
ing kinds ; yet when large, so YQry compact 
and regularly conical, as to be much admired.. 

The plants in our nurseries are imported 
chiefly from England. 

2. P. EXCELSA, Lambert. Leaves very long,. 

15 



170 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

ill 5's, slender, loose, 3 -cornered, 5-7 inclies 
long, angles very finely toothed. Sheaths 
about half an inch long. Cone about nine 
inches long and two broad, with a footstalk 
one inch long. — Lofty or Bhotan pine. Na- 
tive of Nepaul. 

Yery nearly allied to the wliite pine. It 
can readily be distinguished at sight, by its 
pale glaucous green hue, and longer, finer, 
and more crowded leaves. 

In stiff cold soils it can scarcely be con- 
sidered hardy ; but in dry sandy soils, and in 
sheltered situations, not too much exposed to 
the sun in winter, it is perfectly so. 

3. P. HALAPENSis, Aiton. Leaves in 2's. 
Cones ovate, rounded at the base, nearly the 
same length as the leaves, with blunt scales. 
— Aleppo pine. Native of the Levant. 

Not a very lofty growing species, but with 
a very fine green and dense foliage. This 
stands out in the garden of John Evans, 
though I scarcely think it will prove hardy 
in most situations here. 

4. P. INOPS, Aiton. Leaves in pairs. Cones 
drooping, oblong conical, longer than the 
leaves. The scales awl-shaped, with promi- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 171 

nent prickles. Cone two and three-quarters 
to tliree and a half inches long, one and a 
half wide, sheaths with three or four rings- 
— Jersey pine. 

A very handsome species, though of some- 
what low growth. Its branches extend far 
horizontally, and form a very symmetrical 
round head. The leaves are rather fine, and 
the hue of the foliage not so dark as to be 
obnoxious. It thrives best in a very light 
sandy loam, and will do well in any soil that 
is not stiff or wet. The finest Bartram speci- 
men is sixty-two feet high by three feet in 
circumference. 

It is easily propagated from seeds sown in 
the spring after ripening. They will grow 
if two or three years old, but not so readily. 
Sow thinly, on a bed of sandy loam some- 
what cool and shaded, covering in the seed 
very slightly, just enough to cover them. 
They ought not to be allowed to get dry at 
any time. The following spring they may 
be put out into rows one foot apart, to re- 
main a year or two. After that they should 
be transplanted to double that distance. They 



172 AMERICAN handbook: 

transplant easily any time after being grown 
in this manner. 

5. P. LAMBERTIANA, Douglass. Leaves in 
5's, a little rough ; sheath very short. Cones 
cylindrical, twelve to sixteen inches long. 
Scales loose, spread and ronnded above. — 
Gigantic pine. Native of the North- west coast. 

This is said often to grow two hundred 
feet high, and to be as hardy as the white 
pine, to which it is allied. In the garden of 
John Evans, it thrives admirably in a cool 
sandy loam. When the nuts can be obtained, 
they may be sown as soon as received, and 
raised in the manner of the araucaria imhri- 
cata. 

6. P. MITIS, Michaux. Leaves two, some- 
times three in a sheath, long, slender, hollowed 
on the upper surface. Cones small, ovate, 
conical. Scales with their outer surface 
slightly prominent, and terminating in a very 
small slender point, bending outwards. — 
Yellow pine. Northern and Middle States. 

This has a very elegant appearance. The 
bluish tinge of the long slender foliage is 
almost peculiar to it. The Bartram speci- 
men, on a dry gravelly soil, with a rocky 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 173 

bottom, is ninety feet high, and four feet 
eight inches in cii'cumference. 
Propagated as No. 4. 

7. P. PALUSTRis, Alton, Leaves in 8's, 
about twelve inches long, growing in tufts 
at the ends of the branches. Cones nearly 
cylindrical, covered with stiff bristles. — 
Southern SAvamp pine. Native of the 
Southern States. 

A rather odd looking pine, growing about 
fifty feet high, and thriving in wet swampy 
places. There is a small specimen in the 
garden of John Evans. 

8. P. PINASTER, Alton. Leaves two in a 
sheath, four to six inches long, somewhat 
rough at the edge. Cones oblong, three to 
five inches long, narrowed at the base, scales 
bristly. — Pinaster. South of Europe. 

A coarse, free growing species, very hardy, 
round-headed, w^ill thrive almost anywhere. 
These are its best recommendations. It is 
not so handsome as many others. 

Propagated as No. 4. 

P. Maritima is a variety of this. 

9. P. PINE A, Linnaeus. Leaves in 2's, earlier 
ones cihate. Cones ovate, obtuse, without 

15* 



174 AMERICAN" HANDBOOK 

prickles, longer than tiie leaves. Nuts large. 
— Italian stone pine. 

One of the most useful as well as hand- 
some of the tribe. ISTo soil is too loose or too 
barren for it to thrive in, nor any situation 
too bleak or exposed. The seeds (which are 
four years coming to perfection with the 
cone) may be sown singly, as recommended 
for the araucaria or jSTo. 5. 

10. P. PONDEROSA, Douglass. Leaves in 
3's, nine to eleven inches long, flexible, tor- 
tuous. Sheaths short. Cones ovate, reflexed, 
with the ends of the scales flattened, with a 
raised process in the middle. — Heavy wooded 
pine. Native of the North-west coast. 

Said to grow from fifty to eighty feet high 
in its native country. Plants in this vicinity 
are not over three feet high, but it promises 
to be a rapid and strong grower. Our plants 
are imported from Europe ; but where seed 
can be obtained, they may be treated as No. 5. 

11. P. PUMiLio, Hoenhe. Branches gene- 
rally bent down. Leaves short, stiff, a little 
twisted, thickly distributed over the branches, 
with long, lacerated, woolly, white sheaths. 
Cones, when young, erect; older growing 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 175 

outwards, one and a half to two inches long, 
one inch broad. Scales and seeds small. — 
Dwarf pine. Native of the mountains of 
Europe. 

It is said to grow not more than twenty 
feet high in its native country. It will pro- 
bably exceed that here. It is a very distinct 
looking kind. It will thrive in any light 
loam, provided it is not in a situation exposed 
to our hot sun. It is easily raised from seed, 
like No. 4. The plants in our nurseries are 
generally imported in pots, and if kept too 
long in them seldom do well. In all such 
cases, the roots should be uncoiled and spread 
out in planting. 

12. P. RiGiDA, Miller. Leaves in 3's, three 
and a half to four inches long. Cones ovate 
oblong, two to three inches long, about 
one and a half broad, their scales terminated 
by a rough thorny point. — Pitch pine. Na- 
tive of the United States. 

Growing by itself, this is remarkable for 
the irregularity and number of its branches. 
They are usually spreading, covered by foliage 
of the darkest green. It will grow in any 
soil, from the dryest to those frequently 



176 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

inundated ; a moist sandy loam seems to suit 
it best. A specimen at Bartram growing on 
a rock, with very little soil, is fifty -four feet 
high and four feet six inches in circumference. 

It may be propagated like No. 4. 

13. P. STROBUS, Linnceus. Leaves in 5's, 
slender, without sheaths, three to four inches 
long, straight, soft, and 3 -cornered. Cone 
long, cylindrical, pendulous, with the scales 
not thickened at the apex. — White pine. Na- 
tive of the United States. 

A well-known species of the highest utility 
in landscape gardening. When not crowded 
by others it is highly ornamental, producing 
branches regularly from the ground, and 
forming a symmetrical figure. When young, 
it is not so handsome to most tastes ; but that 
gives it an advantage that always pleases, of 
improving in appearance as it grows. The 
bluish tinge it possesses removes the objec- 
tions made to many of the tribe on account 
of their funereal hues. The finest Bartram 
specimen is one hundred and eighteen feet 
high and seven feet three inches in circum- 
ference. There are also some splendid speci- 
mens in the large avenue in Pierce's arbore- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 177 

turn, wliicli, though only planted in the year 
1800, now average seven and a half feet in 
circumference, and are between ninety and 
one hundred feet high, to all appearance. It 
prefers a rich, yet loose and dry loam, on a 
gravelly or rocky subsoil. It will do pretty 
well in heavy loam, but in cold, clayey, wet 
soils the white pine is decidedly not at home. 

It may be propagated as Ko. 4. 

14. P. SYLVESTRis, LinncEus. Leaves rigid, 
in pairs, one and a half to three inches long, 
somewhat waved and twisted, slightly con- 
cave on the upper, and convex on the lower 
surface, finely serrated on the edges. Cones 
from two to three inches long, and from one 
to one and a quarter broad. — Scotch pine. 
Native of the mountains of Europe. 

By no means so handsome as many others, 
but in this country we have no evergreens to 
spare. Still, it is highly appropriate to many 
situations, where few similar trees would grow. 
Its dark hue, and, when mature, stiff compact 
habit, render it well fitted for cold looking, 
rugged scenery. If not crowded by other 
trees, it does not become so naked on the 
trunk, or so flat-headed as it is usually seen 



178 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

or supposed to be, and is then more symme- 
trical and more beautiful. A specimen at 
Bartram sligiitly varying from the true form, 
is thirty-five feet high, and three feet in cir- 
cumference. It delights in a dry deep loam, 
and in somewhat elevated situations. It 
will do pretty well in any gravelly or dry 
peaty soils, but little good in any that are 
wet. 

May also be propagated as No. 4. 

15. P. T^DA, Linnceus. Leaves in threes. 
Cones oblong, conical, shorter than the 
leaves, growing in clusters; scales with 
rough prickles. — Frankincense pine. Native 
of the United States and Canada. 

Somewhat in the way of the last, but rea- 
dily distinguished by the number of its 
leaves in the sheaths, as well as by its other 
characters. It reaches a good height, and 
thrives pretty well in most soils that are not 
wet. Plants are scarce in our district, but 
one exists in the collection of John Evans. 

Platanus, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Platana- 
ce^. Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male 
flowers in globular heads. Corolla very 



OF OKNAMENTAL TEEES. 179 

small. Anthers growing round the filament. 
Female flowers with a many-petalled corolla. 
Style with a recurved stigma. Seeds round- 
ish-clavate, mucronate, with a persistent style, 
invested with pappus-like hairs at the base. 

1. P. occiDENTALis, LinncBus. Leaves 
roundish-pentangular, slightly palmate,downy 
beneath. — American buttonwood. 

This tree was formerly in much demand 
for its shade; latterly (suffering from late 
frosts, probably) it has fallen into disrepute 
from its unhealthiness. I believe it carries 
the disease mth it even to other countries. 
In landscape gardening it can only be em- 
ployed effectively as a single specimen. It 
does not harmonize well with other trees. 
By itself, its magnificent proportions, its 
broad-spreading habit and large ample foli- 
age, challenge admiration. It will do well in 
any situation, but prefers one inclining to 
moisture. A specimen at Bartram is ninety- 
five feet high and six feet in circumference. 
May be propagated from seed sown as soon 
as ripe* in a moist yet light soil, covering 

* Emerson recommends to soak the seed twenty-four 
hours before sowing in the spring. 



180 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

them very slightly with the earth. They 
may stay two years in the seed-bed before 
transplanting, after which they will make 
rapid growth, and may be safely removed 
any time after. With care, cuttings will 
grow pretty well. The young but well- 
ripened wood is taken off early in the win- 
ter, laid in " by the heels" in any sheltered 
spot, and put out in rows in a warm border 
very early in spring. Layers succeed well 
put down in July, or as soon as the wood 
seems perfectly ripe. 

2. P. ORiENTALis, LinncEus. Nerves of 
the leaves smoothish beneath. Lobes more 
palmate than in No. 1. — English buttonwood. 

Seldom makes so large a tree as the other, 
but is free from its disease. It is a week 
later in putting forth, which may be one 
reason for its healthiness. It will grow well 
in dryer situations than the last. A speci- 
men at Bartram measures eighty feet high 
and four feet in circumference. 

POPULUS, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Salicacese. 
Dioecia, Octandria, Linn. Calyx of the male, 
the flat scale of the catkin torn at the edge. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 181 

Corolla turbinate, oblique, entire. Female, 
stigma 4-cleft. Capsule 2-celled, many-seeded, 
bristlv. 

1. P. ALBA, LinnodXLs. Leaves lobed, tooth- 
ed, white beneath; lobes acute, flat. Stig- 
mas four. — Abele; white poplar. Native of 
Britain. 

A tree formerly very popular, on account 
of its rapid growth and lively foliage, but 
which planters now often wish back again 
to its native country, because of its great 
propensity to throw up suckers ; still, where 
this is not objectionable, as in towns as 
street-trees, it will often be desirable. The 
whole of the poplar tribe has strong claims 
to be distinguished in a catalogue of street- 
trees ; few things bearing the smoke and dirt 
better. This species grows lofty and some- 
what conical, with a gray bark ; and, with its 
two-colored leaves, bears a good character 
for beauty. 

Pieces of the two-year old wood, cut into 
three to four inch pieces, and planted nearly 
their whole length in a rather moist and 
shaded spot, very early in spring, grow like 
willows. 
16 



182 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

2. P. ANGULATA, Aiton. Shoots angular. 
Leaves heart-shaped, tapering at the point, 
very large, and with fine serratnres. — Cot- 
tonwood poplar. Kative of the Western 
States. 

One of the most ornamental of poplars. It 
is of very rapid growth, and, when full grown, 
is round-headed and spreading. The leaves 
are very large and glossy, and, the petioles 
being very flat, possess an aspen character. 
The light and shade from the leaves, as they 
are moved by every little breeze, gives the 
tree a playfully pleasing appearance. It 
does not do well in very dry situations, but 
has no decided objections to others. It may 
be propagated as No. 1. 

The finest specimen I have seen, probably 
eight feet in circumference, stands by the 
road-side near old Humphrey Marshall's gar- 
den. 

3. P. BALSAMIFEEA, Linnoeus. Shoots 
round. Buds very gummy. Leaves ovate- 
acuminate, serrate, whitish beneath; petioles 
round. — Balsam poplar. 

Yery short-lived in dry soils. It prefers 
those that are deep, moist, and rich. It is 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 18 



o 



somewliat inclined to throw up suckers in 
dry soils. May be propagated as No. 1. 

The best Bartram specimen is seventy feet 
high and four and a half feet in circumfer- 
ence. 

4. P.CANABENSiSjJ/zcAat/x. Young branches 
angled. Leaves cordately ovate, tapering to 
a point, finely and rather unequally toothed ; 
petioles compressed; buds gummy. — Cana- 
dian poplar. Kative of the Northern States. 
It frequently grows to eighty or ninety 
feet high, and is well worthy of a place in 
any collection. In soils similar to the last. 

5. P. CANDICANS, Aiton. Shoots round. 
Buds very gummy. Leaves heart-shaped at 
the base, ovate-acuminate; petiole flattened 
in the upper part, frequently hairy. — Onta- 
rio poplar ; balsam poplar of the Northern 
States. 

It is in every way a larger and a finer 
tree than the true balsam, and is readily dis- 
tinguished by the leaves. 

6. P. CANESCENS, Smith. Leaves roundish, 
very slightly lobed, toothed. Stigmas eight. 
— Gray poplar. Native of England. 

By many considered a variety of the abele. 



184 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

A fine young specimen at Bartram is about 
fifty feet high and eighteen inches in diame- 
ter. 

7. P. DILITATA, Alton. Leaves smooth on 
both sides, acuminate, serrate, wider than 
their length. — Lombardy poplar. A well- 
known and formerly very popular tree, on 
account of its easy and rapid growth, and 
singular fastigiate appearance. Though in 
little demand at present, there are many 
situations in which it is singularly effective — 
as where horizontal lines prevail, or highly 
artificial scenery. In the fall, the leaves turn 
to a rich golden yellow hue, equalled by few 
other trees. They also remain on to a late 
period of the season. 

Propagated as ISTo. 1. 

8. P. GRJECA, Aito7i. Leaves cordate, ovate, 
acuminate, serrate, serratures somewhat claw- 
ed, glandular at the base, petioles compressed. 
— Athenian poplar. Native of the islands 
in the South of Europe. 

An irregular, somewhat spreading-headfed 
tree, growing often to fifty feet high. In 
Europe, this is sometimes mistaken for P. 
heterophylla^ Linnoeus^ which may have given 



OF OENAMENTAL TEEES. 185 

rise to the idea that it is also a native of the 
United States. 

9. P. GEANDIDENTATA, Michaux. Leaves 
downy when yonng, afterwards smooth on 
both surfaces. Sinuately toothed, with large 
unequal teeth. — Large American aspen. Na- 
tive of the Korthern States. 

A very fine tree when in a rather moist 
situation, and unsurrounded by other trees. 
It is not too troublesome by suckering, as 
some of the others are. The best specimen 
at Bartram is sixty -two feet high, and three 
feet two inches in circumference. 

10. P. TEEMULOiDES, MicJiaux. Leavcs 
roundish, heart-shaped, shortly pointed, slight- 
ly toothed. Bracts deeply 3-4:-lobed, lobes 
linear. — American aspen. 

This, in moist, somewhat shaded situations 
and not too much crowded, is an ornamental 
round-headed tree, and though not so pretty 
as the European, has its leaves shaken, like 
it, by every playful breeze. 

Peunus, Tournefort. — Nat. Ord. Drupaceae. 
Icosandria, Monogynia, Linn. Nut ovate or 

16* 



'i'£4i^^ 



186 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

oblong, flattened, sharp at both ends, furrowed 
at the edges, smooth in the other parts. 

1. P. AMERICANA, Marshall. Branches sub- 
spinose. Leaves oval and obovate, acuminate, 
sharply and often doubly serrate. Umbels 
nearly sessile, 2-5-flowered. — American red 
plum. 

A small round-headed tree, usually grow- 
ing but fifteen feet high. Near the door of 
Marshall's old house is a specimen, probably 
of his own planting. The Bartram specimen 
is much finer, being about thirty feet high 
and two feet six inches in circumference. 

It is propagated by seed ; or more speedily 
by layers. A stool should be kept for this 
purpose ; that is, a tree should be cut down 
to nearly the ground, which will throw out 
an abundance of shoots. These, which will 
be fit for layering about June, should be each 
gently twisted, and earth placed around the 
whole until the twisted part of the shoots are 
covered. The spring following, these being 
well rooted, may be taken oQ" as plants. 

2. P. MARITIMA, Wangenheim. Leaves 
lanceolate, ovate, serrate. Flowers in pairs. 
Fruit small, round, sweet, dark blue. — Sea- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 187 

side pi am. Native of the Eastern and 
Southern States. 

Naturally but a shrub, but becoming a 
very ornamental small tree when budded on 
the P. Americana. It is rather scarce in culti- 
vation. There is a specimen in the garden 
of John Evans, at Eadnor. 

Ptelea, Linnceus. — Nat Ord. Xanthoxy- 
lacese. Monoecia, Tetra-Pentandria, Linn. 
Calyx 4-5-parted. Fruit compressed, of 2- 
3 -cells. Cells 1 -seeded, each cell expanded 
into a rounded netted wing. 

1. P. TRIFOLIATA, LiuncBus. Leaves in 3's. 
— Native of most of the Middle States. 

A small tree, possessing no particular 
beauty to recommend it. When in fruit it is 
curious. It has the advantage of thriving in 
the deepest shade, especially if in a rather 
moist soil. 

It can be readily propagated by cuttings, 
layers, or seeds. 

The Bartram specimens grow about ten 
feet high. 



188 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

Pyrus, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Pomacese. 
Icosanclria, Pentagynia, Linn. Calyx 5 -cleft. 
Petals 5. Fruit a 5-celled, many seeded 
apple. 

1. P. ARIA, Smith. Leaves ovate, cut and 
serrated, white and downy beneath. Flowers 
corymbose. Fruit globose. — White beam. 
Native of Britain. Flowering in June. 

At a distance, has much the appearance of 
a mulberry tree. The downy under surface 
makes a fine contrast to the deep green of 
the upper. It thrives best in a limestone 
soil, where it frequently reaches fifty feet 
high, but it will do well in any firm loam in 
an open situation. It varies much in foliage, 
sometimes being quite pinnatifid. The P. 
pinnatifida^ Ehr.^ and P. hylrida (Sorbus), 
Linn.^ are now considered varieties of this. 
It may be propagated by seeds sown as soon 
as they are ripe in a box, or protected situa- 
tion ; or by budding on the mountain ash. The 
latter mode is the commonest, but such trees 
are not near so desirable as those on their 
own roots. 

2. P. AUCUPARiA, Ooe,rtner. Leaves pin- 
nated, glabrous, leaflets serrated. Flowers 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 189 

corymbose. Fruit globose, small, red. — 
Mountain ash; Rowan. Native of tlie moun- 
tains of Europe. Flowers in May. 

This beautiful tree grows about thirty feet 
high, and has the round-headed spreading habit 
of the apple, with the foliage of an ash. Its 
clusters of white flowers, followed by red ber- 
ries, are its chief attraction. It thrives best 
in a loose dry soil, in a situation somewhat 
shaded. The P. Americana^ Dec.^ is consider- 
ed to be a variety of this. It is propagated 
as the last. Sometimes they will not appear 
the first year, unless the seed has been thrown 
in a heap to ferment previously. 

There is a specimen at Bartram forty-five 
feet high and three feet in circumference. 

3. P. BACCATA, Linnceus. Leaves equally 
serrulated. Peduncles clustered. Fruit small 
and berry-like. Calyx deciduous. — Cherry 
apple. Native of Siberia. 

A small tree, seldom exceeding twenty feet 
high, but very popular on account of the pro- 
fusion of its red cherry-like fruit. 

3. P. CORONARIA, Linnceus. Leaves ovate, 
slightly heart-shaped at the base, sharply 
serrate or nearly lobed, smoothish. Pedun- 



190 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

cles corymbose, smooth. — Sweet-scented crab. 
ISTative of tbe Middle and Western States. 

A small busby-beaded tree, growing about 
fifteen feet bigb, and valued chiefly for its 
pale-red, sweet-scented flowers, which appear 
in May. Scarce in cultivation, but growing 
in the garden of John Evans. 

4. P. DOMESTICA, Smith. Leaves pinnate, 
villose underneath. Leaflets serrate. Flowers 
panicled. Fruit obovate. — True service-tree ; 
Sorbus. Native of Britain. 

Eesembling the Eowan, but is in every way 
a more vigorous grower. The branches are 
stouter, the leaves larger and coarser, and 
the fruit like a small crab-apple, full an inch 
in length. 

5. P. NIVALIS, Linnmus. Leaves quite en- 
tire. Flowers in corymbs. Fruit globular. — 
Snowy -leaved pyrus. Native of mountains of 
Austria. 

A shrub, ranking only as a tree when 
grafted on the larger kinds. Growing in the 
garden of John Evans. 

6. P. PKUNIFOLIA, Willdenow. Leaves 
ovate acuminate. Flower-stalks pubescent. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TEEES. 191 

Styles woolly at the base. — Plum-leaved Sibe- 
rian crab. 

Cultivated chiefly for its early, pear blos- 
som-like flowers, yellowish-red fruit, and its 
extreme hardiness. The Bartram specimen 
is about fifteen feet high. 

7. P. SPECTABiLis, Alton. Leaves oval-ob- 
long, serrate, even. Claws of the corolla 
longer than the calyx. Styles woolly at the 
base. — Double flowering apple. Native of 
China. 

The most ornamental flowering one of the 
tribe. It reaches about twenty -five or thirty 
feet high, and has more the appearance of the 
common apple than any other species. It 
does best in a deep, rich, loamy soil, and is 
propagated by grafting or budding on the 
ordinary kind. Specimens in our vicinity 
are not over fifteen feet high. 

8. P. TORMiNALis, Smith. Leaves ovate or 
cordate, lobed, and serrate; lower lobes 
spreading. Peduncles corymbose. — Wild 
service-tree. England. 

A handsome species, growing about fifty 
feet high. It prefers a limestone soil, but 
will do pretty well in a strong rich loam. It 



192 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

is rather scarce. There is a specimen in the 
garden of John Evans. 

QuERCUS, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Corylaceae. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn. Male catkins 
with flowers having a 5-cleft calyx, with 4- 
10 stamens, and no corolla. Female flowers; 
calyx an involucre composed of numerous, 
scales united into a cup. Fruit, an acorn. 

1. Q. ALBA, Linnceus. Leaves obovate-ob- 
long, nearly equally pinnatifid sinuate, shining 
green above, a little whitish beneath. Cup 
hemispherical. ISTut ovate or oblong. — 
White-oak. Native of United States. 

All the oaks are amongst the most useful 
trees in landscape gardening. They possess 
a great variety of forms and modes of 
growth; different colors, shades, and hues; 
and are adapted, some one or other of them, 
to every difference of soil, situation, and 
aspect. They are usually considered of slow 
growth, but when under favorable circum- 
stances, soon attain a large size. A magnifi- 
cent avenue of them, on the fine estate 
owned by Alexander Brown, Esq., on the 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 193 

Delaware, planted since the Eevolution,* 
show what they can do in a short time ; and 
a small and thriving one at Bartram, fourteen 
years planted, contain some above forty feet 
high. This species is one of the handsomest, 
whether considered with regard to its noble 
size, its beautiful form, its peculiar elegant 
leaves, both in outline and hue, or its fre- 
quently grotesquely-twisted branches. Sin- 
gly, in the landscape, I know of no other 
tree that can be compared with it. I would 
desire to see no better emulation in garden- 
ing than in a desire to possess the best white- 
oak. The grounds of Bartram and Spring- 
brook are equally enriched in this respect ; 
the former having one eighty-five feet high 
by thirteen feet in circumference, and Mr. 

* In reference to this avenue, Mr. Cope has kindly 
obtained for me the following information from Mr. Sa- 
muel Breck: " This estate was purchased by my father 
about 1796. The only access to it was by a lane on the 
east side, that goes down to the Delaware. This being 
a roundabout way, he purchased an outlet on the turn- 
pike ; and, having considerable taste for rural adornment, 
planted and arranged the avenue, aided and assisted by 
Frederick Pursh, then in his employ (who was also gar- 
dener to W. Hamilton, at the Woodlands), in 1797." 

17 



194 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

Cope's measuring seventy-two feet high by 
twelve feet in circnmference. It varies very 
much in the lobing of the leaves. In dense 
woods, the leaves are merely sinuated; in 
open, exposed situations, they are very 
deeply lobed, nearly pinnatifid. Yery com- 
monly, though not always, the bark is scaly, 
like the shellharh-Mchory. In the fall of the 
year, the leaves turn to a deep reddish-brown ; 
in young trees often staying on till spring. 
It thrives best in dry loams contiguous to 
streams or moisture. All the species are 
easily raised from seed sown as soon as 
ripe, and the best trees are raised from the 
youngest plants that find an early permanent 
situation. 

2. Q. AQUATiCA, Walter. Leaves somewhat 
wedge-shaped, narrowed at the base, lobed, 
smooth. — Water-oak. 

Somewhat allied to the Black-Jac\ but 
often growing fifty feet high. It varies very 
much in its foliage. The best soil for it is a 
sandy loam contiguous to moisture. It is 
rather scarce in cultivation. There is a spe- 
cimen in the garden of John Evans. 

3. Q. BALLOTA, Desfontaines. Leaves ever- 



■OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 195 

green, elliptic, toothed or entire, downy be- 
neath. Acorn very long. — Barbary-oak. 

This is a fine tree, sixty feet high in its 
native country. It will probably not stand 
out here in situations exposed much to the 
sun in winter, or little sheltered ; but I be- 
lieve it does pretty well in the garden of my 
friend Evans. 

4. Q. BICOLOR, Willdenow. Leaves oblong- 
ovate, acute, softly downy beneath, coarsely 
and unequally dentate, the teeth rather acute. 
Fruit on long peduncles; cup hemispherical; 
nut ovoid-oblong. — Swamp w^hite-oak. 

Seldom exceeding fifty feet. Has a very 
pretty, regularly spreading, large head, fre- 
quently larger, in proportion to the size of 
the trunk, than any other species. The bark 
is slightly scaly. It thrives best in a low 
situation and moist soil. The best Bartram 
specimen is sixty feet high, with a head 
about forty feet in diameter. 

5. Q. CASTANEA, WiUdenow. Leaves ob- 
long, lanceolate, acuminate, pubescent, and 
of a pale gray beneath, nearly equally tooth- 
ed, the teeth rather sharp. Cup hemispheri- 
cal. Nut roundish. — Chestnut-oak. 



196 AMERICAN HANDBOOK • 

The resemblance of this to a chestiiut-tree 
is striking, not only in its foliage, but also 
in the color and appearance of the bark, and 
in its general habit and appearance. It 
thrives best in rich soil, and in elevated 
situations. It does not do well in tenacious 
clays. In dry, gravelly soils, I have seen it 
do pretty well. The best Bartram specimen, 
a young one, is thirty-feet high. 

6. Q, CERRis, Linnoeus. Leaves sinuate, 
pinnatifid, pubescent beneath. Cup covered 
with branching bristles. — Turkey oak. Na- 
tive of the south of Europe. 

In England, this is a very pretty round- 
headed tree. Here it takes a more pyrami- 
dal form, with a tendency to extend its 
branches far horizontally. The leaves have 
a peculiar, curled, and cut appearance, giving 
the tree quite a " distinction with a differ- 
ence" amongst its fellow oaks. There are 
many fine varieties, but few of them intro- 
duced here. The leaves of our species stay 
on green till near Christmas, and remain on 
till the bursting of the buds the following 
spring. It thrives best in a loose, shady 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 197 

loam, that does not get hot or dry in 
summer. 

It is propagated by seeds, or, most com- 
monly, by grafting on the other species. 

7. Q. cocciNEA, Wangenheim. Leaves on 
long petioles, oblong, deeply sinuate lobed, 
smooth; the lobes divaricate, toothed. Cup 
nearly top-shaped, conspicuously scaly. Nut, 
roundish-ovate. — Scarlet-oak. 

I consider few oaks superior to this in 
beauty. In the fall of the year it bears off 
the palm. Its leaves then become red, fre- 
quently reaching a fine scarlet. It averages 
fifty feet high, though some are occasionally 
found nearly doubling that height. It is 
rather an irregular grower, when old often 
inclining to become flat-headed. Its long 
leafstalks permit an easy motion of the 
leaves with every summer breeze, and gives 
motion as an additional attraction to the 
beauties of its autumnal foliage. It thrives 
best in a deep rich loam, inclining to moisture. 

8. Q. FALCATA, Walter, Leaves downy be- 
neath, sinuated, with three or four somewhat 
sickle-shaped, bristle-pointed lobes, the ter- 
minal one elongated and jagged. Fruit small. 

17* 



198 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Calyx hemispherical. Acorn of a bright 
orange color inside. — Spanish red-oak. Na- 
tive of the Middle and Southern States. 

A tree with very variably shaped leaves, 
and yet with such a constant rusty, downy 
peculiarity as renders it at all times easily 
recognized. It grows to a large size, but 
seldom forms a regular or picturesque head. 
Its foliage is the chief point of inteifest that 
renders it attractive. It delights in a rich 
and rather dry loam. The Bartram speci- 
men is a young tree of forty feet high by 
three and a half in circumference. 

9. Q. HETEROPHYLLA, Pursli. Leavcs on 
rather long petioles, ovate-lanceolate, oblong, 
entire, frequently with large irregular teeth. 
— Bartram oak. 

Partaking of the characters of Q. Phellos^ 
and Q. imhricaria^ and supposed by many to 
be a hybrid between them. I cannot sub- 
scribe to this opinion; firstly, because I can- 
not learn that flowering plants of Q. imhri- 
caria ever existed in Bartram, and secondly, 
because seedlings of the phellos show no ten- 
dency to vary, and seedlings of Q. heterophylla 
have more or less the characters of the origi- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 199 

Bal. The tree from which Pursh drew up 
his description, was privately destroyed by 
some of Mr. Hamilton's gardeners (as I have 
been informed by Col. Carr), because it inter- 
fered with a view of the Schuylkill from the 
Woodlands. A seedling from this tree at 
Bartram is seventy feet high and six feet in 
circumference. The leaves of this are con- 
siderably narrower than those of another tree 
at Marshall's garden ; making it appear, with- 
out examination, like a willow oak. Marshall's 
specimen, on the other hand, has its leaves 
much resembling those of a Q. imbricaria^ 
Michaux^ which is growing beside it with a 
trunk seven feet three inclies in circumfer- 
ence, and probably ninety feet high. The 
leaves of this latter are broader and shorter 
than either the Bartram or the willow oak. 

10. Q. LYRATA, Walter. Leaves subsessile, 
glabrous, lyrately sinuated, much contracted 
in the middle, attenuated at the base, and 
dilated at the summit. Cup globular, rough, 
and almost covering the acorn. — Lyrate oak. 
Water white-oak. Native of the Southern 
States. 

This, though perfectly hardy at Bartram-, 



200 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

never ripens its seeds there. This may be 
owing to the fact of its growing there in dry 
gravelly soil, while in its native places it is 
found in swamps. JSTevertheless, onr speci- 
men has attained a fair size, being sixty-two 
feet high and six feet two inches in cir- 
cumference. It has something the appear- 
ance of a white-oak when seen at a distance, 
and in the Bartram tree, indicates a head of 
a very spreading character. 

11. Q. MACROCARPA, Micliaux. Leaves 
lyrate, downy beneath, deeply and sinuately 
lobed, the lobes obtuse and spreading. Cup 
deep, scaly, and fringed with bristles. Acorns 
large, thick, and ovate. — Burr oak. Over- 
cup white-oak. Native of the Western States. 

A powerful rival to the white-oak, having 
the advantage besides of very handsome 
acorns. The Bartram specimens, on dry 
gravelly soils, do not indicate very lofty trees, 
but have widely spreading heads. The finest 
is sixty-three feet high and six feet in cir- 
cumference. 

12. Q. NIGRA, Linnceus. Leaves broadly 
wedge-shaped, slightly 3-5 -lobed at the end, 
covered with rusty dots beneath. Cup very 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 201 

scaly. Acorn roundish-ovoid, small. — Black- 
jack. 

A very useful small tree, thriving in the 
most thin and barren soils, and giving, by 
its large shining leaves, a gay appearance. 
In deep rich loams it grows beautifully, and 
will reach fifty feet high. The Bartram 
specimen in dry gravel is about thirty feet 
high. 

13. Q. OBTUSILOBA, Michaux. Leaves obo- 
vate-oblong, wedge-shaped at the base, irregu- 
larly sinuate, lobed, the upper lobe dilated, 
retuse. Cup hemispherical, scaly, nut ellip- 
tic-ovoid. — Post-oak. Barren white-oak. 

This is a singular looking tree, having but 
few branches, and these very long, forming 
a very meagre looking round head. The 
branchlets are so small as to appear stunted, 
while the leaves are rather above the average 
size. It thrives best in a dry situation. The 
best Bartram specimen is thirty feet high by 
forty two inches in circumference. 

14. Q. OLiviEFORMis, Micliaux. Leaves 
oblong, glabrous, glaucous on the under side, 
deeply and unequally sinuate pinnatifid. 
Fruit elliptic ovate, cup hollowed out, bristly 



202 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

on tlie upper side. — Olive shape fruited oak. 
JSTative of the Middle States. 

Growing to the height of about fifty feet, 
and thriving in deep loam, in an elevated 
and dry situation. Scarce in cultivation, but 
is in the collection of John Evans. 

15. Q. PALUSTEis, Duroi. Leaves oblong, 
deeply cut or sinuate lobed, smooth, green, 
and shining; acorn small and subglobose, 
often striped with blackish-brown before quite 
ripe. — Pin oak. 

A very pretty conical-headed tree, with 
leaves of a light yet lively green, each very 
deeply cut, and with the lower branches often 
pendulous, sweeping the ground, and forming 
a pleasant shade. Though generally con- 
sidered a swamp tree, it will flourish in the 
driest situations; a desirable quality in an 
universal favorite. The largest Bartram 
specimen is eighty feet high and eight feet in 
circumference. 

16. Q. PHELLOS, Linnoeus. Leaves lanceo- 
late, quite entire. Fruit small, acorn of a 
deep orange color inside. — Willow oak. Na- 
tive of the Middle and Southern States. 

A peculiar looking oak with dark green 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 203 

willow-like leaves, and an ovately conical 
head. Its foliage remains green till a late 
period of the season. It thrives best in low 
moist land of a rich quality, but will do well 
in dry and elevated situations. The best 
Bartram specimen is eighty-three feet high 
and seven feet two inches in circumference. 

17. Q. PRINUS, Linnceus. Leaves obovate 
and elliptic-oblong, pubescent beneath, with 
wide, blunt, equal teeth. Fruit pedunculate. 
Cup hemispherical. Nut ovoid. — Chestnut 
white-oak. 

Usually grows to a great height, often over 
one hundred feet. It somewhat resembles 
the castanea. The latter is often mistaken 
for a chestnut ; the former would never be 
taken for anything but an oak. In the speci- 
mens that have come before me, the head is 
always bold and irregular, but would pro- 
bably be more symmetrical when grown 
isolated from other trees. It will grow to a 
fine size in dry, rocky, or gravelly soil, but 
attains its finest proportions in low and rich 
situations. The best Bartram specimen, on 
dry gravel, is eighty-two feet high and five 
feet six inches in circumference. 



204 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

18. Q. EOBUK, Linnceus. Leaves oblong, 
somewhat wedge-shaped, smooth and irregu- 
larly sinuate, lobes rounded, acorns cylindri- 
cal. — British stalked oak. 

A very valuable kind in ornamental garden- 
ing from the fact of its foliage remaining on 
green till the frost fairly " drags" it off; while 
its glossy green summer dress is "highly be- 
coming." It does not often exceed sixty 
feet high in its native country, but in America, 
which is pre-eminently adapted to deciduous 
trees, it will do much better. The Bartram 
specimen, growing on thin soil on a rock, is 
eighty feet high and seven feet in circumfer- 
ence. In general appearance it is allied to 
our white-oak, but the bark is never scaly, 
nor are the leaves ever so deeply lobed. It 
will do well in any situation not too wet. Q. 
B. purpurea^ with fine purple foliage, is a very 
ornamental variety, of which small specimens 
are in our vicinity. 

It is propagated by grafting on the com- 
mon kind. 

19. Q. EUBRA, Linnceus. Leaves obtusely 
sinuated. Cup very Eat, with shallow edges. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 205 

Nut large, oblong, ovoid. — Ked oak ; Cham- 
plain oak. 

The trunk and bark of this tree much 
resemble a chestnut ; the branches have a 
very coarse and rigid appearance, sufficient 
to distinguish the tree readily even in winter. 
It makes a pretty object as a single speci- 
men. It thrives well in very poor soils, but 
will not do well in low or wet situations. A 
specimen at Bartram is about sixty feet 
high and four and a half feet in circumfer- 
ence. There is a noble specimen a few feet 
off the boundaries of the Bartram estate ; but 
there is no certainty when it may go to form 
" post and rails," as I have been informed a 
solitary specimen of Q. amhigua^ Michaux^ 
in the vicinity once did. 

20. Q. SESSILIFLORA, Salisbury. Leaves- 
on long stalks, oblong-ovate, deeply sinuated^ 
their sinuses acute, lobes obtuse. Fruit clus- 
tered on very short stalks or sessile. — Ses- 
sile-fruited British oak. 

This is very like the Q. Rohur^ and by 

many thought to be but a variety of it. It 

is considered the most ornamental of the two. 

I believe it is not so common as the other, 

18 



206 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

but raay be found in tbe collection of John 
Evans. 

21. Q. SUBEK, LirwKEus. — Leaves evergreen, 
ovate oblong, tomentose beneath, wavy. — 
Cork-tree. Native of the south of France, 
Barbarj, &c. 

Also growing in the garden of John 
Evans. It is not generally considered hardy, 
but will doubtless prove so in situations 
shaded from our winter's sim. 

22. Q. TINCTOKIA, Bartram. Leaves ob- 
ovate -oblong, sinuate-lobed, pubescent be- 
neath. Cup turbinate. Nut ovoid. — Black 
oak; quercitron. 

Its large, luxuriant, dark glossy foliage, is 
its chief value in ornamental gardening. 
The tree itself has a very un picturesque- 
looking head; and, in our neighborhood, is 
noted for a general decay, even young trees 
frequently losing large branches. It does 
best in a rich loam on a clay bottom. 

Khamnus, Linnceus. — Nat. OrcL Ehamna- 
ceo3. Pentandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 
swollen out with a 4-5 -cleft border. Petals 
4-5; sometimes wanting. Styles 2-4, dis- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 207 

tinct, sometimes combined. Fruit, a 2-4- 
seeded berry. 

1. E. CAROLINIENSIS, Walter. Leaves oval- 
oblong, obscurely serrate, nearly smooth. 
Umbels axillary, on peduncles much shorter 
than the leafstalks. Flowers 4-5-stamened. 
Petals embracing the very small stamens. 
Stigmas three. Fruit globose. — Carolina 
buckthorn. 

I give a full description of this species, as 
it is too little known. It is a roimd -headed 
tree, of a very pretty habit ; while the red 
berries which cover it in the fall, and which 
subsequently change to a deep black, render 
it highly interesting, not merely for their 
own simple beauty, but also for the variety 
of birds they attract. It is impatient of 
moisture, and also of extreme drought, thriv- 
ing best in a deep, cool loam. A specimen 
at Bartram is about twenty feet high and 
twelve inches in circumference. 

It is readily propagated by seeds sown as 
soon as ripe. They sometimes remain in the 
ground two years before they grow, though 
very seldom. It may also be raised by cut- 
tings or layers, but as these take twelve 



208 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

montlis at least to root well, I prefer the 
former mode. 

2. E. CATHARTicus, Linnoeus. Leaves ovate, 
sharply serrate. Flowers 4-cleft, dioecious. 
Spines terminal. — Buckthorn. Native of 
England. 

Most generally seen as a shrub, but by a 
little pruning when young, makes a hand- 
some round-headed tree, often attaining, un- 
der favorable circumstances, a height of 
twenty-five feet, and a circumference of two 
feet. It delights in a rich loam, inclining to 
moisture. It wilf grow well in dry soils, but 
is there short-lived. Propagated as No. 1. 

3. K. FRANGUL A, Zmncew5. Without spines. 
Flowers perfect. Leaves obovate, entire. — 
Alder buckthorn. 

This is usually but a strong shrub, but, 
like the last, becomes a small tree, having the 
appearance of No. 1 by cultivation and ma- 
nagement. A specimen is in the garden of 
John Evans, at Eadnor. 

Khus, Linnceus. — Nat Ord. AnacardiaceaB. 
Pentandria, Trigynia, Linn. Calyx 5-parted. 
Petals five, ovate-lanceolate, spreading. Fruit, 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 209 

a one-seeded berry, nearly dry, witli a bony 
nut. 

1. K. COTINUS, Linnceus. Leaves simple, 
ovate. — Venetian snmacli ; mist-tree. Native 
of the south of Europe.^ 

In Europe but a small shrub, it rises here 
to the dignity of a small tree by the aid of a 
little pruning when young. With its dark- 
green roundish leaves, and its formal round 
head, it is peculiarly pleasing in many situa- 
tions; and, when covered with its flowers, 
looks literally like a " mist." It is readily pro- 
pagated by layers laid down just before the 
bursting of the leaf The following spring 
they may be treated as separate plants. 

2. R. TYPHINA, Linnceus. Leaves pinnate, 
leaflets in many pairs, lanceolate, acuminate, 
tomentose beneath. Panicles terminal. — 
Stag's -ho rn ; sumach. 

A small tree, fifteen to twenty feet high, 
and the most ornamental tree I know of its 
size. Its dark-green leaves rival those of 
the ailanthus in the " orientality" of their 

• De CandoUe makes a separate genus of this under 
the name of Coiinus. 

18^ 



210 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

appearance ; and wlien in the summer months 
the tree is covered with its large, erect pani- 
cles of red berries, the effect is beautiful in 
the highest degree. Unfortunately, it is one 
of the most inveterate suckerers in the vege- 
table kins^dom. Its admirers must be careful 
to select a position for it where this propen- 
sity will not prove objectionable. It thrives 
best in a light, dry, and rich soil, making no 
progress in a wet one. 

8. E. VENENATA, De CandoUe. Leaves 
pinnate; leaflets obovate-oblong, sharply 
acuminate, the margin very entire, and 
slightly revolute. Panicles loose, on long 
peduncles. — Poison-ash ; poison-sumach. 

This tree possesses little beauty, and, from 
its poisonous properties, none but an enthu- 
siastic lover of trees in all their forms will 
be induced to cultivate it. It thrives best in 
a moist situation. The Bartram specimen is 
about fifteen feet high. 

KoBiNiA, Linnceus. — Nat Ord. Fabacese. 
Diadelphia, Decandria, Linn. Calyx 4-cleft ; 
the upper division slightly notched. Legume 
compressed, many-seeded, gibbous. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 211 

1. K. HISPID A, Linnceus. Leaves unequally 
pinnate. Stem hispid. Racemes axillary. — 
Rose Acacia. Native of the Southern States ; 
flowering throughout the summer. 

Few deciduous trees are more ornamental 
than this when well grown and covered with 
its racemes of rose-colored flowers. It de- 
lights in a moist rich soil, though not by any 
means wet. If grafted on the next described 
species it becomes more vigorous. On its 
own roots it will frequently grow twenty 
feet high. On a dry soil it never reaches 
any great height, though it will flower freely. 
It is readily propagated by cuttings of the 
roots placed in a slight hotbed early in spring. 

2. R. PSEUD-ACACIA, LinncEus. Leaves 
unequally pinnate. Racemes loose, pendu- 
lous, pedicels or flowerstalks one-flowered. 
Stipules spinose. — Yellow locust. Flower- 
ing in May. 

This varies from one of the handsomest of 
ornamental trees to one of the ugliest. When 
young, with its bold round head, its elegant 
foliage and luxuriant growth, profusely 
covered with its large clusters of deliciously- 
scented flowers, it laughs at its rivals. But 



212 AMEKICAN HANDBOOK 

the case is different as it advances in age ; 
large branches broken off by every stiff 
breeze, otliers dying "voluntarily," like sui- 
cides through grief for loss of the power to 
please ; then the borer, which attacks them 
most unrelentingly, and its innumerable 
suckers, make a bad end to its chapter of 
history. It thrives best in a cool rich loam, 
and is very readily propagated from its seeds, 
sown either when ripe or in the spring. 

There are many varieties, differing chiefly 
in the forms of their leaves. 

The R. macrophylla is common now with us, 
and also the R. tortuosa, with its curiously 
twisted branches. 

The R. viscosa, known as the clammy locust, 
the branches and legumes being very clam- 
my and sticky, is probably a good species. 

Salisbueia, Smith. — JVat Ord. Taxaceae. 
Monoecia, Polyandria, Linn, Staminate flow- 
ers axillary, filiform, pedunculate. Fertile 
flowers terminal, solitary on simple or branch- 
ing peduncles. Ovule naked, seated in a cup- 
shaped disk, the disk finally becoming fleshy, 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 213 

embracing the base of the nut-like seed 
(abridged from Flora Cestrica), 

1. S. ADIANTIFOLIA, Smith. Leaves pecti- 
nate or comb-shaped, somewhat wedge-shaped 
at the base, irregularly cut or scolloped on 
the margin, and marked with straight diverg- 
ent veins. — Ginko; maiden hair tree. Native 
of Japan. 

Though classed by Loudon as a monoecious 
plant, in a private letter in my possession he 
speaks of it as a dioecious one. I believe 
our specimens have not yet flowered. As 
an ornamental tree it claims much attention. 
Its stem is very straight, resembling in that 
respect, as well as in color, that of the tulip 
tree. The leaves are of a bluish-green tinge, 
and from their fern-like appearance, attract 
much attention. The branches come out of 
very variable vigor, and extend nearly hori- 
zontally. It is a very artificial-looking tree, 
and very appropriate for associating with 
architectural objects. It thrives best in a 
deep rich loam on a dry subsoil. The hand- 
somest trees, being the original of Mr. Hamil- 
ton's introduction, are at the Woodlands; the 



214 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

Bartram specimen is sixty -one feet liigh and 
tliree feet eight incTies in circumference. 

It is generally propagated by layers, put 
down as soon as the young wood is ripe, 
being first notched as for a carnation. The 
stool of layers should be protected from frost. 
When rooted, they are easily managed after- 
wards."^ 

There are some very fine specimens of this 
tree in Mr. Pierce's arboretum, little if any 
inferior to the Bartram specimens. 

Salix, Linnceus. — Nat. Orel. Salicaceae. 
Dioecia, Diandria, Linn. Catkins with the 
scales entire. Calyx wanting. Staminate 
flowers with 1-6 stamens, filaments some- 
times united. Pistillate flowers. Stigma 2- 
lobed, with one or more glands contiguous to 
the pistil. 

The WILLOW TEiBE has not as yet met 
with that distinction as affording ornamental 
trees which it deserves. I fear that Juliet's 

* Since the above was written, I learn that trees have 
produced fruit in France. So that the easiest manner of 
increasing our stock of this valuable tree will be by im- 
porting seedlings. 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 215 

doctrine, that "a rose by any other name will 
smell as sweet," has been inverted in this case, 
and that the name " willow" has become so 
associated with the idea of a swamp, except in 
the instance of the Babylonian, that all willows 
seem to "smell swampy" to the ornamental 
planter. But though many of them thrive 
in moist places, it is not so in all the kinds. 
Some of them do well in the driest soils, and 
are adapted to ornament every situation. 
They are destined yet to receive considerable 
attention. So far there are but few in culti- 
vation; the following kinds are for the most 
pH't to be found growing only in the collec- 
tion of my friend Evans. 

1. S. ACUMINATA, Smith. Stamens 2. 
Leaves lanceolate oblong, pointed, wavy, 
finely toothed, glaucous and downy beneath. 
— Large-leaved willow. Native of England. 

It grows twenty or thirty feet high, with 
an erect, coarse, and stiff habit; its chief 
beauty consisting in its fine foliage. It 
thrives best in a low wet situation, but will 
do very well in a dry one. 

Like all the willows, this may be readily 
struck by cuttings or "truncheons" of the 



216 AMEEICAN HANDBOOK 

one or two year old wood, the latter making 
vigorous trees the soonest. The pieces, be- 
ing cut into lengths about three inches long, 
may be stuck their full length in any moist 
waste piece of ground any time in early 
spring before the bursting of the bud. 

2. S. ALBA, LinnoRus. Leaves elliptic-lan- 
ceolate, acuminate, toothed, wjiite and silky 
beneath, the lowest teeth glandular. Flowers 
appearing with the leaves. Ovaries smooth, 
sessile. — White willow. Kative of Europe. 
Naturalized in the United States. 

A handsome round-headed tree, grooving 
well in any soil or situation, where it "\illl 
easily attain a height of fifty feet. In Avet 
swampy places I have seen it between seventy 
and eighty, and with a trunk of large diame- 
ter. 

8. S. ALBA, var. YitelUna. S. vitelUna^ 
Linnmus^ now reduced to a variety of alha^ 
has the leaves shorter and broader, and 
more spreading orange-yellow branches, but 
is in every other respect similar. Its golden 
bark contrasts beautifully with its deep-green 
leaves, and even in winter imparts a cheerful- 
ness to garden scenery. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 217 

4. S. BABYLONICA, LiiincBus. Leaves lance- 
olate, acuminate, serrate, glabrous, glaucous 
beneath. — Weeping willow. Native of Asia. 

A detailed description of tbis fine tree is 
unnecessary, so well is it known. It is pecu- 
liarly fitting to accompany architectural ob- 
jects. Its lightness, and graceful elegance, 
throw on all around a softness that is pecu- 
liarly pleasing. By ponds, lakes, or small 
streams it is highly appropriate, and in any 
still, quiet scenery, as a shade to an arbor or 
place devoted to meditation or study, it adds 
an interest few trees can create. In very 
gay, rugged, stiff, or bold scenery it is out 
of place, except in peculiar instances, where 
bold contrasts can be introduced with effect. 
It will thrive in almost any soil, refusing 
only those actually wet or sodden ; but in a 
dry deep loam, contiguous to moisture, it 
grows with a surprising rapidity. 

5. B. annularis has its leaves always curl- 
ed. As a curiosity it may please ; but as an 
ornamental tree will never be popular. A 
curled leaf will ever be associated with dis- 
ease, or insects. 

19 



218 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

5. S. CAPREA, Linnoeus. Stamens two. 
Leaves roundisli-o vate, pointed-serrate, waved, 
veins much netted, pale and downy beneath. 
— Goat-willow. Native of Britain. 

There is a noble specimen of, I believe, 
this species in the fine arboretum of Mr. 
Pierce, which is five feet in circumference, 
and probably forty feet high. Its head is 
very regular, round, and spreading. Mr. 
Evans has a variety with variegated leaves. 
Its foliage is very dense, 'imparting a grateful 
shade. It grows well in the driest soils, but 
does best in those inclining to moisture. 

6. S. CROWEANA, Smith, Leaves elliptical, 
slightly serrated, glaucous beneath. Ovary 
silky. Stamens united at the base. — Crowe's 
willow. 

This can scarcely be considered as a tree. 
In very wet soils, in which it delights, it will 
grow from ten to fifteen feet. 

7. S. DAPHNOIDES, Villars. Leaves broadly 
lanceolate and pointed, with glandular serra- 
tures, smooth and glaucous beneath. Catkins 
appearing before the leaves. — Daphne willow. 
Native of Switzerland. 

A fine species, growing from thirty to forty 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 219 

feet high. Its dark, mealy -looking bark 
gives it a very unique appearance. 

8. S. DECIPIENS, Smith. Stamens two. 
Leaves lanceolate, pointed, serrate, very 
smooth. Branches smooth and highly po- 
lished. — White Welsh- willow. Native of 
Britain, but said to be naturalized in Ame- 
rica. 

A tree of upright growth, and often ex- 
ceeding forty feet. Its young shoots are 
stained with red, and those of the preceding 
season have a yellowish cast. It will thrive 
well in a dry soil. 

9. S. FORBYANA, Smith. Stamen one. 
Leaves lanceolate-oblong, serrated, glabrous, 
with small downy stipules. — Forby's willow. 
Native of England. 

This is a small tree, not over twelve feet 
high, with very twiggy, slender, pale-green, 
and glossy stems. It thrives best in a wet 
soil. 

10. S. FoRSTERiANA, Smith. Leaves elliptic- 
obovate, acute, crenate, slightly downy, glau- 
cous beneath. Catkins long, narrow. Germen 
awl-shaped, silky. Branches slightly downy. — 



220 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

Forster's mountain willow. Native of Scot- 
land. 

Growing to about fifteen feet Mgh, or pro- 
bably higher in a deep rich loam, not liable 
to become too wet. 

11. S. FRAGiLis, Linnceus. Stamens two. 
Leaves ovate-lanceolate, pointed, serrate, very 
glabrous. — Crack willow. Native of Britain. 

In moist places this will frequently grow 
to eighty or ninety feet high. Its chief 
beauty consists in its silky catkins. 

12. S. F. EussELLiANA, Carey. Leaves 
lanceolate, acuminate, serrate-dentate with the 
teeth incurved, subglaucous beneath, and 
slightly silky while young. Stipules semi- 
cordate. Styles conspicuous. — Bedford wil- 
low. Native of Britain, and naturalized in 
the United States. 

Yery nearly resembling the preceding, 
and, for ornamental purposes, superior to it. 
It will thrive well in drier ground. 

13. S. HIRTA, Smith. Leaves elliptic 
heart-shaped, pointed, finely crenate, downy 
on both sides. Stipules half heart-shaped, 
nearly glabrous. Branches densely hairy. — 
Hairy willow. Native of Britain. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 221 

Growing twenty or tMrty feet liigli, with 
a very erect habit of growth. It thrives best 
in a deep rich loam, inclining to moisture. 
14. S. NIGRA, Marshall. Stamens 3-4, or 
6. Styles short. Leaves narrow-lanceolate, 
tapering and acute at each end, smooth and 
green on both sides, with the petiole and 
midrib pubescent. — Black willow. Kative 
of the United States. 

A small tree from fifteen to twenty feet 
high, with a dark-colored rough bark, and 
with the young branches dark purple. It 
grows naturally in low grounds contiguous 
to moisture. 

15. S. PENT ANDR A, Xmncews. Stamens five. 
Leaves ovate, pointed, crenate, glandular, 
broad, shining, having a fragrance when 
slightly dried. — Shining willow. Native of 
Europe and the United States. 

This grows about twenty feet high, and is 
the most ornamental of the tribe. It delights 
in a moist situation. Its flowers appear later 
in the season than most other species. Our 
S. Iticida, Muhlenberg; and S. Meyeriana^ 
WiUdenow, of Germany, are probably in- 
cluded in this. 

19^ 



222 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

16. S. POMERANICA, WUldenoiv. Leaves 
lanceolate, tapering to both extremities, 
about four inches long, smooth and shining 
above, glaucous beneath. Catkins about one 
inch long. Branches copiously covered with 
small yellow dots. — Pomeranian willow. 

Somewhat allied to S. daphnoides^ growing 
about the same height, and equally as orna- 
mental. 

17. S. ROTUND ATA, Forhes. Leaves round- 
ish, bluntly serrate, glabrous and shining 
above, glaucous, netted, and slightly hairy 
beneath. Stipules rounded, serrate, and 
glandular. — Kound-leaved willow. Native of 
Switzerland. 

One of the most distinct-looking species 
known to me, growing about fifteen or 
twenty feet high. 

18. S. RUBRA, Hudson. Stamens two, com- 
bined at the base. Leaves linear-lanceolate, 
acuminate, serrate, glabrous, green on both 
sides. Capsules sessile, very pubescent. — 
Eed willow. Kative of Britain. 

A small tree of ten or twelve feet high, 
with long narrow leaves, and twiggy branches. 
It does best in moist situations. 



OF OKNAMENTAL TREES. 223 

19. S. VIMINALIS, Linnceus. Stamens two. 
Leaves linear, inclining to lanceolate, long, 
but not more than lialf an inch wide ; mar- 
gins entire, wavy, snow white and silky 
beneath. — Twiggy, or osier willow. Native 
of Britain, but I believe naturalized in the 
States. 

Generally grows about twenty feet high ; 
its long, narrow leaves render it highly orna- 
mental. It will grow very well in the driest 
soils, but prefers the neighborhood of water. 

SoPHORA, LinncBus. — Nat Ord. Fabaceae. 
Decandria, Monogynia, Lmn. Calyx 5 -tooth- 
ed. Corolla butterfly-shaped, with the wings 
of the same length as the upper petal (vexil- 
lum). Legume bearded ; many-seeded. 

1. S. JAPONIC A, LinncBus. Leaves pinnate, 
leaflets many, ovate, smooth. — Japan sophora. 
Flowers in August. 

A most beautiful tree, somewhat resem- 
bling the locust in its appearance, whether 
considered in its outline, flower, or foliage. 
Its average growth is about forty feet, thriv- 
ing best in a deep rich loam, moderately dry. 
It is readily propagated by seeds, when they 



224 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

can be obtained, whicb are best sown as soon 
as ripe. The most common mode is by 
layers, wbich may be put down as soon as 
the wood is ripe, protecting them from frost 
in winter ; they will be mostly rooted suffi- 
ciently to take up in spring. Cuttings, se- 
lected with care, will also root pretty well if 
put in as soon as the wood is ripe, and pro- 
tected from severe frost, carefully guarding 
against damp. 

/SI J. pendula^ a fine weeping variety, is 
also in our collections. 

Styrax, Linnoeus. — Nat. Ord. Styrace83. 
Decandria, Monogynia, Linn. Corolla twisted 
to the left, funnel-form. Fruit a two-seeded 
drupe. 

1. S. GRANDIFOLIUM, Alton. Leaves large, 
obovate, silky beneath. Lower peduncles 
axillary, solitary, one-flowered. — Large-leaved 
storax. Native of the Southern States. 
Flowers in July. 

In cultivation this becomes a tree fifteen 
or twenty feet high, and is one of the most 
ornamental of its class, whether we consider 
its large leathery leaves, or numerous snow- 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 225 

wliite flowers. It delights in a light gravelly 
loam, where the roots are contiguous to 
moisture, and in a slightly shaded situation. 
It is best propagated by layers put down just 
before the bursting of the buds, notched like 
a carnation; they will root before fall. A 
specimen at Bartram is about twenty-five 
feet high and fifteen inches in circumference. 

Taxodium, Richard. — Nat. Orel. Pinaceae. 
Monoecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male catkins 
disposed in a pyramidal round spike. Pollen 
of each flower borne in five cases, attached 
to the scale on its inner face. Female catkins 
two or three together, near the base of the 
spike of male catkins. " Strobile globose. 
Scales peltate, angled. 

T. DiSTiCHUM, Richard. Branches distich- 
ous. Leaves linear. — Deciduous or bald 
cypress. Native of the Southern States. 

This is a noble deciduous tree, sometimes 
attaining one hundred and fifty feet high 
with a circumference of thirty. When 
young it has a very regular pyramidal form, 
becoming round-headed with age, and ulti- 
mately rather flat and spreading. The fine- 



226 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

ness of its foliage contrasts strikingly with 
its strong rugged appearance, and tlie pale- 
green hue of its leaves with the cedar-like 
tint of its branches. When growing luxuri- 
antly, it is lined with deep ribs, as if the one 
trunk were made np of a nnmber of small 
ones; add to this the numerous "knees," like 
large beehives, which it throws up for many 
feet around, and we have a specimen of 
arborial picturesque beauty not easily sur- 
passed. The Bartram specimen is one hun- 
dred and twenty-five feet high and twenty 
feet in circumference. It grows best in 
moist swampy places ; or, if in dry soil, near 
a spring or contiguous to moisture. It is 
readily propagated from seeds sown early in 
spring in sandy loam, in a rather moist and 
shaded situation. The following spring they 
may be put into nursery rows. They trans- 
plant pretty well at all times with care. 

T. D. pendulum is a fine variety with droop- 
ing leaves. In other respects much the same 
as the preceding. 

Taxus, Linnceus. — Nat. Ord. Taxaceae. 
Dioecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Staminate flowers 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 227 

bursting from several opposite, imbricated, 
adjoining, bud-like scales. Column of stamens 
surmounted by many peltate 8-cleft antbers. 
Pistillate flower solitary, with imbricated 
scales at tbe base. Fruit a single nut em- 
bedded in a succulent cup, tbe calyx. 

1. T. BACCATA, Linnceus. Leaves linear, 
approximating dark-green. — English yew. 

Opinion is divided with regard to the 
merits of this tree in ornamental gardening. 
Some deem that its long association with 
English churchyards and cemeteries, suggests 
ideas too funereal for the life-enjoying plea- 
sures of a garden. Others look on the well- 
known degree of abuse it will submit to, as 
a subject of pleasing reflection, suggestive of 
the victorious nature of meek, uncomplaining, 
persevering effort in overcoming all obstacles. 

But for the once setting aside both poetry 
and association, our collections are too scarce 
of evergreens to allow us to dispense with 
one, and for my part I admire the yew. 
There is a very fine specimen planted by 
Young, before mentioned as "the king's Bo- 
tanist," in friend Longstreth's garden in King- 
sessing, probably thirty feet high, and with 



228 AMEKICAN HANDBOOK 

its branches extending nearly as far horizon- 
tally. It loves a deep rich loam, but will un- 
dergo any soil or treatment. It may be propa- 
gated by seeds, layers, or cuttings. The former 
rarely germinate the first year, and are seldom 
employed. Cuttings are best of two year old 
wood, put in sand in July or August, slightly 
shaded and kept moist, with some protection 
through winter. There are several fine va- 
rieties, the commonest being the Irish yew 
(T. B. fastigiata^ Lindley)\ the weejrimg yew 
{T. B. Dovastoni\ with very fine broad foliage 
and pendulous branches ; the silver variegated 
{T. B. elegantissima) ; the gold variegated^ and 
the erect hrancliing (T. B. erecta^ Loudoii). 

2. T. CANADENSIS, Willdenow. Leaves 
linear, revolute on the margins. Eeceptacle 
of the staminate flower subglobose. 

This is a much smaller tree than the pre- 
ceding, readily distinguished by the paler 
foliage and reddish wood. 

Soil and propagation as No. 1. 

8.* T. NUCIFERA, Linnceus. Seeds inclosed 

* The kinds witli seed inclosed in the disk, are now, I 
believe, referred to Torreya of Siebold. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 229 

by the fleshy disk. Leaves linear, distant. — 
Acorn yew. Native of Japan, where it grows 
about twenty feet high, with a diffuse and ir- 
regular habit. It is in the collection of John 
Evans. It is often propagated by grafting 
on the English yew. 

Thuja, Toumtfort. — Nat. Ord. Pinacese. 
Monoecia, Monadelphia, Linn. Male catkin 
terminal, solitary. Pollen of each flower con- 
tained in four cases attached to the inner face 
of the scale towards the base. Female cat- 
kin terminal. Ovary joined with the bractea, 
thus forming a receptacle. Ovules two to 
each receptacle."^ 

1. T. OCCIDENT ALis, LinncEus. Cones obo- 
vate, scaly ; seeds winged; branches horizontal, 
recurved. — American arbor vitae. Native of 
the Northern States. 

* In accordance with my plan I adhere to the nomen- 
clature in common use, though I cannot help observing 
that the separation of No. 2 and No. 3 from the genus 
under the name of Biota, Don, is very judicious, as all 
who are familiar with the dissimilarity of their fruits will 
admit. The species not having winged seeds are now 
referred to Biota. 

20 



230 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

An evergreen essential in all collections. 
It is handsomer than the Chinese kind, though 
not so generally cultivated. When young, it 
has a rather slender appearance, but, on be- 
coming older, branches out into a head very 
similar to the red cedar. The finest Bar tram 
specimen is about fifty-two feet high and 
three feet ten inches in circumference. It is 
raised from seed sown in the fall or spring 
in boxes of light, sandy soil, kept cool and 
moderately moist till they appear. If sown 
thinly, they are best left two years in the seed 
bed, and then removed to nursery rows one 
foot apart. A cool, rather moist soil, on a 
dry bottom, seems best adapted for it, but it 
will do well in any soil not too wet or too stiff. 

2. T. ORIENTALIS, LinncBiis. Cones ellip- 
tic, scales mucronate beneath the fleshy apex. 
Branches ascending, branchlets mostly verti- 
cal. — Chinese arbor vitae. 

When young, this is handsomer than the 
last, but can bear no comparison with it when 
it becomes old. The best Bartram specimen is 
about twenty -five feet high and three feet in 
circumference. It is propagated as the last, 
and also by cuttings of the well ripened wood 



OF OKNAMENTAI> TREES. 231 

put in sandy soil early in the fall, and slightly 
protected through winter. It is sometimes 
raised from layers. 

3. T. PENDULA, Lamhert. Leaves like 
small scales, opposite, imbricate, ovate-lance- 
olate, mucronate, decurrent. Cones ovate-ob- 
long, produced in clusters at the ends of the 
branches. Seeds wingless. — Weeping arbor 
vitse. Native of Japan and China. 

A very peculiar looking small tree of about 
fifteen feet high. Its slender, apparently leaf- 
less branchlets, hang down very gracefully. 
It is one of the prettiest evergreens yet intro- 
duced for planting by the sides of walks in 
the pleasure-ground. 

4. T. PLicATA, Don. Allied to No. 1. 
The branchlets are compressed and flattened, 
shining on the upper surface, and the lower 
of a dull green, dotted with stomata. — Plicate 
arbor vitse. Native of the north-west coast. 

A considerable improvement on No. 1, 
growing more compact, and with a fuller 
habit of growth, though, I believe, never 
reaching the same height. 



232 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

TiLi A, LmncBiis. — Nat. Ord. Tiliacese. Po- 
lyandria, Monogynia, Linn. Calyx 5-parted, 
decidnons. Corolla 5-petalled. Capsules 
globose, downy, 5 -celled, opening at the base. 

1. T. AMERICANA, ZmTzoews. Leaves deeply 
cordate, nearly round, abruptly acuminate, 
sliarply serrate, smooth. Petals with a scale 
on the inside at the base, notched at the apex. 
Fruit ovate, ribbed. — American linden. Na- 
tive of Canada and the Northern States. 
Flowers in July. 

In the Middle States, both this and the fol- 
lowing species have been very popular as a 
shade tree. Its yellowish fragrant flowers 
are so grateful to insects, that the tree be- 
comes disagreeable on their account while it 
is in flower. It is also very liable to the at- 
tacks of a borer. When full grown, it has a 
rather irregular round head, and to most tastes 
has a very pleasing effect. It is easily dis- 
tinguished from the following, when old, by 
its round head, and when in fruit by its ribbed 
fruit, and Mr. Emerson renlarks, in his ex- 
cellent "Trees and Shrubs of Massachusetts," 
by the young shoots being of a dark-brown 
or blackish color. In the autumn, the leaves 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 233 

turn to a pale lemon yellow, and are amongst 
tlie earliest to mark the progress of the season. 

The best soil for it is a deep cool loam, 
though it will grow pretty well in any not 
liable to extremes of wet or dry. It may be 
propagated by seed sown as soon as ripe, 
which will mostly appear the following 
spring. The most usual plan is by layers 
put down as soon as the wood is ripe, some- 
where about the month of June. Sometimes 
these layers are tongued and pegged down, 
at other times merely twisted a little near 
the base of the stool, which is then moulded 
up with earth to just above the twisted parts. 

The best Bartram specimen on dry soil is 
eighty-two feet high and five feet ten inches 
in circumference. 

2. T. EUROPCEA, LinncBus. Leaves twice 
the length of the footstalks, glabrous beneath. 
Petals without nectaries. Flowers appearing 
a month earlier than the last. Fruit nearly 
or quite globose. — European linden. 

This species grows more regular and coni- 
cal than the last, and when growing by itself, 
its branches sweep the ground. In such 
cases it forms one of the most beautiful ob- 

20* 



234 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

jects a single tree can afford. It is apt to lose 
its leaves very early, unless growing in a 
deep rich. loam. It may be propagated as 
the last. There are many varieties^ in our 
nurseries. The rubra with red shoots, aurea 
with yellow, platyphylla with broad leaves, 
parvifolia with small leaves, and the pendida 
with drooping branches. 

8. T. HETEROPHYLLA, Yentenat. May be but 
a variety of No. 1, but is considered by many 
as distinct. It is the T. alba of Michaux. 
The leaves are ovate, white and downy be- 
neath, sometimes cordate at the base ; oftener 
obliquely cordate and truncate. It does not 
grow so high as No. 1, and will thrive in 
heavier soils, especially if near a stream or 
contiguous to moisture. The commonest 
weeping linden of the nurseries is of this 
species, and w^hen grafted standard high on 
some other kind will form a pretty object. 
It has a striking peculiarity in the change of 
the color of the leaves in the fall. A portion 

* The nomenclature of the genus is confused. It is 
difficult to pronounce what is a species and what but a 
variety. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TEEES. 235 

will be quite green while tlie rest are of a 
bright-yellow. The ivhlte linden should be ja 
every collection. 

Ulmus, Linnceus. — Nat. Orel. Ulmacege. 
Pentandria, Digynia, Linn. Calyx 5-8 -cleft, 
permanent. Corolla none. Stamens equal 
to the divisions of the calyx. Fruit a one- 
celled, one-seeded samara. 

1. U. AMERICANA, ZmncB?/5. Leaves smooth 
above, oblong ovate, unequal at the base, 
equally and sharply serrate. Flowers pedi- 
cellate. Fruit oval, downy at the margin. — 
American elm. 

This fine tree is very popular in many of 
the Northern States, and deservedly so, for 
few trees can compare with it in the easy 
gracefulness of its appearance. It likes not 
to be crowded by other trees, always in that 
case losing^, considerable of it beautv. It is 
essentially a round-headed tree, and, when 
old, frequently becomes quite pendulous. It 
is not at home in wet situations, thriving only 
in light loose loams. In our district it is so 
very liable to be preyed upon by insects, that 
it has lost much of its interest. It will some- 



236 AMEBIC AN HANDBOOK 

times reacli eighty feet higli; but its most 
usual figure is sixty. 

The seed ripens in May, and should be 
sown at once in a bed of light sandy loam, 
taking care to keep the bed regularly moist 
and partially shaded through the season. 
The most usual mode of propagation is by 
layers. A "stool" being used for that pur- 
pose, the shoots are twisted and moulded up 
as before described, and in that manner they 
soon form roots. 

There is a weeping variety, U. pendula of 
Pursh, in our collections, as well as one with 
jyurple leaves. 

2. U. CAMPESTEis, Zmnoews. Leaves rhom- 
boid ovate, acuminate, wedge-shaped, oblique 
at the base, scabrous above, doubly and ir- 
regularly serrate, downy beneath, serratures 
incurved. Fruit oblong, deeply cloven, 
naked. — English elm. 

This is a finer tree than the last, growing 
larger, and having a stiffer head, and general 
habit of growth. Mr. Emerson notices that 
the leaves stay green a mucli^ longer period 
in the fall, than in our kind. 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 237 

There is a very fine specimen in Mr. Pierce's 
arboretum, measuring six feet seven inches 
in circumference, and is probably ninety feet 
high. The Cornish elm, U. stricta of Lindley, 
now considered a variety of this, is also in 
our collections. 

3. U. FULVA, Michaux. Leaves scabrous 
above. Buds clothed with a brown down. 
Flowers in dense bundles. Fruit nearly 
round, naked on the margin. — Slippery 
elm. 

A handsome tree, with magnificent foliage, 
but without the ample proportions which 
characterize the other species. It seldom 
exceeds fifty feet high, and has often a pendu- 
lous appearance. It has the advantage of 
thriving in a low wet soil, where the other 
kinds will not. The bark is frequently corky. 
The Bartram specimen is fifty feet high and 
five and a half feet in circumference, but is 
nearly dead, owing to the bark having been 
almost entirely stolen off for medicinal pur- 
poses. 

4. U. GLABRA, Miller, Leaves ovate, lan- 
ceolate, acuminate, doubly serrate, obliquel}'" 



238 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

wedge-shaped at the base, smooth above,* 
smooth or glandular below. Fruit obovate, 
naked, deeply cloven. — Smooth-leaved elm. 
Native of Britain. 

In its native country this grows from sixty 
to eighty feet high, but the specimens I have 
fallen in with here are all small. It thrives 
in similar situations to No. 2. 

The Huntingdon, U. G. vegeta of Loudon, 
is also in our collections, as well as the varie- 
gated leaved. 

5. U. MONTANA, Bauliin. Leaves obovate, 
cuspidate, wedge-shaped at the base, coarsely 
and doubly serrate, very scabrous above, 
downy beneath. Fruit rhomboid oblong, 
naked, scarcely cloven. — Mountain or wych 
elm. Native of Britain. 

This has not been extensively cultivated 
here, but will probably prove one of the most 
desirable of trees. Its dark, ample foliage, 
and vigorous growth, are amongst the traits 
of character which commend it. It thrives 
best in a cool, deep, and rich loam, and is 
propagated like the rest. The Exeter ehn^ a 
variety with very upright growing branches 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 239 

and compact habit, is also in our collections, 
and a very desirable kind, on account of the 
strong contrasts which can be made with the 
pendulous varieties. 

YiRGiLiA, Lamarck. — Nat. Ord. Fabacea3. 
Corolla butterfly-shaped. Fruit a fiat, many 
seeded legume. 

V. LUTEA, Micliaux. Leaves pinnate, leaf- 
lets alternate. — Yellow wood. Native of the 
Western States. Flowers in July. 

A middle-sized round-headed tree, which 
when in flower is particularly ornamental. 
These are in clusters larger than the locust, 
though less odoriferous ; pendulous, and of a 
whitish-yellow color. It is late in putting 
forth in spring, and one of the first to shed 
its leaves, which turn to a deep orange yellow 
in the fall. 

It thrives best in a rich light loam, in a 
cool situation, not exposed to the heat and 
drought of summer. 

It is propagated by seeds sown as soon as 
they are ripe, in boxes protected from mice 
and severe frosts. They will appear in spring. 



240 AMERICAN HANDBOOK 

» 

It also succeeds very well if budded on tlie 
sopliora i*n July. 

The finest Bartram specimen is fifty feet 
liisfli and four feet in circumference at the 
base. 

Xanthoxylon, Kunth. — Nat. Ord. Xan- 
thoxylaceae. Dioecia, Tri-pentandria, Linn. 
Calyx 3-5-parted. Stamens and petals equal 
to the divisions of the calyx. Carpels 1-5, 
with an equal number of styles connected at 
the apex ; 2-valved ; 1-2-seeded. Fruit mostly 
berried. Seeds globose, dark, and shining. 

X. FRAXINEUM, WUldeyioiv. Leaves with 
four to five pairs of ovate leaflets. Stems 
prickly, prickles stipitate. Petioles unarmed. 
— Toothache tree; prickly ash. Canada to 
Kentucky. 

A small tree of about fifteen feet high, the 
which whoever plants will wish he had never 
seen, on account of its rambling, brambly 
appearance, and determination to throw up 
suckers in spite of all opposition. 

It is a fit companion for the elder bush 
which John Bartram, in his correspondence, 



OF ORNAMENTAL TREES. 241 

says lie rooted out of his garden every year 
for half his life, but which continued to come 
up notwithstanding. A specimen at Bartram 
is about fifteen feet high and six inches in 
circumference. 



21 



INDEX 



OP 



ENGLISH OR COMMON NAMES 



Acacia, rose. Robinia hispida. 

Ailanthus. Ailantus glandulosus. 

AlfJiea. Hibiscus syriacus. 

Angelica tree. Aralia spinosa. 

Apphj cherry. Pyrus baccata. 

Apple, douhle-Jlowered. Pyrus spectabilis. 

Arbor vitse, American. Thuja occidentalis. 

Arbor vitse, Chinese. Thuja orientalis. 

Aj'bor vitaSj weeping. Thuja pendula. 

Ash, black. Fraxinus sambucifolia. 

Ash, blue. Fraxinus quadrangulata. 

Ash, downy. Fraxinus pubescens. 

Ash, European. Fraxinus excelsior. 

Ash, mountain. Pyrus aucuparia. 

Ash, poison. Rhus venenata. 

Ash, prickly. Xanthoxylon fraxineum. 

Ash, red. Fraxinus pubescens. 



244 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

Ash, various-leaved. Fraxinus excelsior hetero- 

phylla. 
Ashy walnut. Fraxinus juglandifolia. 
Ash, iceeping. Fraxinus excelsior pendula. 
Ash, ivhite. Fraxinus americana. 
Beam, white. Pyrus aria. 
Beech, American. Fagus ferruginea. 
Beech, hloodi/. Fagus sylvatica, sanguinea. 
Beech, crested. Fagus sylvatica, cristata. 
Beech, cut. Fagus sylvatica, laciniata. 
Beech, copper. Fagus sylvatica, cuprea. 
Beech, European. Fagus sylvatica. 
Beech, water. Carpinus americanus. 
Birch, American white. Betula populifolia. 
Birch, black. Betula nigra. 
Birch, poplar -leaved. Betula populifolia. 
Birch, red. Betula nigra. 
Birch, sweet black. Betula lenta. 
Birch, white. Betula alba. 
Bitternut. Carya amara. 
Box. Buxus. 

Box, Minorca. Buxus balearica. 
Buclceye, yellow. Pavia flava. 
Buckthorn. Rhamnus cathartica. 
Buckthorn, alder. Rhamnus frangula. 
Buckthorn, Caroliiia. Rhamnus caroliniensis. 
Buckthorn, sea,. Hippophas rhamnoides. 
Bumelia. Bumelia lycioides. 



INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 245 

Butternut. Juglans cinerea. 

Buttonwoodj American. Platanus occidentalis. 

Buttonwood, English. Platanus orientalis. 

Catalpa. Catalpa bignonoides. 

Cedar J African. Cedrus africana. 

Cedar J deodar. Cedrus deodara. 

Cedar J Japan. Cryptomeria japonica. 

Cedar^ Lebanon. Cedrus libani. 

Cedar J twisted. Cupressus torulosa. 

Cedar J white. Cupressus thuyoides. 

Cherry J Chickasaw. Cerasus chicasa. 

Cherry, cornelian. Cornus mas. 

Cherry, douhle-jlowered wood. Cerasus sylvestris 

fl. pleno. 
Cherry, English hird. Cerasus padus. 
Cherry, mahaleh. Cerasus mahaleb. 
Cherry, wild. Cerasus serotina. 
CJiestnut, chinquapin. Castanea pumila. 
Chestnut, common. Castanea vesca. 
CJiestnut, marrone. Castanea vesca. 
Christ's thorn. Paliurus aculeatus. 
Club of Hercules. Aralia spinosa. 
Crab, plum-leaved. Pyrus prunifolia. 
Crab, sweet-scented. Pyrus coronaria. 
Cucumber tree. Magnolia acuminata. 
Cyrilla. Cyrilla racemiflora. 
Cypress, bald. Taxodium distichum. 
Cypress, deciduous. Taxodium distichum. 

21* 



246 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

Cj/press, iceeping-leaved. Taxodium disticlium 

pendulum. 
Dogwood, alternate-leaved. Cornus alternifolia. 
Dogwood, American. Cornus florida. 
Dogwood, English red. Cornus sanguinea. 
Dogwood, flowery. Cornus florida. 
Dogwood, white-herried. Cornus alba. 
Elder, hox. Negundo aceroides. 
Elm, American. Ulmus americana. 
Elm, Cornish. Ulmus campestris var. 
Elm, English. Ulmus campestris. 
Elm, Exeter. Ulmus montana var. 
Elm, Huntingdon. Ulmus glabra var. 
Elm, slipper}/. Ulmus fulva. 
Elm, smooth. Ulmus glabra. 
Elm, wych. Ulmus montana. 
Fir, halsam. Picea balsamea. 
Fir, Cephalonian silver. Picea cephalonica. 
Fir, double halsam. Picea Frazeri. 
Fir, noble. Picea nobilis. 
Fir, silver. Picea pectinata. 
Franhlinia. Gordonia pubescens. 
Fringe tree. Chionantbus virginica. 
Ginho. Salisburia adiantifolia. 
Hachherry. Celtis crassifolia. 
Halesia, two-winged. Halesia diptera. 
Hachmatach. Larix americana. 
Hawthorn, cochspur. Crataegus crus-galli. 



INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 247 

Hawthorn, English. Crataegus oxyacantha. 
Havjthorn, maple-leaved. Crata3gus cordata. 
Hawthorn, pear-fruited. Crataegus flava. 
Hawthorn, pear-leaved. Crataegus pyrifolia. 
Hawthorn, scarlet-fruited. Crataegus coccinea. 
Hawthorn, Washington. Crataegus cordata. 
Haicthorn, yellow-fruited. Crataegus flava. 
Hemlock. Abies canadensis. 
Hickory, common. Carya tomentosa. 
Hickory, Hlinois. Carya oliraeformis. 
Hickory, mockernut. Carya tomentosa. 
Hickory, peccan-nut. Carya olivaeformis. 
Hickory, pignut. Carya porcina. 
Hickory, shellbark. Carya alba. 
Holly, American. Ilex opaca. 
Holly, emetic. Ilex vomitoria. 
Holly, English. Ilex aquifolium. 
Honey locust. Gleditschia triacanthos. 
Horn beam, American. Carpinus americana. 
Horn beam, European. Carpinus betulus. 
Horn beam, hop. Ostrya virginica. 
Horse-chestnut, American. jEscuIus ohiense. 
Horse-chestnut, British. jEsculus hippocastanum. 
Horse-chestnut, red. ^sculus rubicunda. 
Iron wood. Ostrya virginica. 
Judas, American. Cercis canadensis. 
Judas, European. Cercis siliquastrum. 
Julihrissin. Acacia julibrissin. 



248 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

June-herry. Amelanchier botryapium. 
JumpeVj common. Juniperus communis. 
Juniper, Swedish. Juniperus suecica. 
Juniper J tall. Juniperus excelsa. 
Kentucky coffee. Grjmnocladus canadensis. 
Kolreuteria. Kolreuteria paniculata. 
Laburnum. Cytisus laburnum. 
Lagerstroemia. Lagerstrcemia reginas. 
Larch, American. Larix americana. 
Larch, European. Larix europoea. 
Linden, American. Tilia americana. 
Linden, European. Tilia europoea. 
Linden, golden. Tilia europoea aurea. 
Linden, hroad-leaved. Tilia europoea platyphylla. 
Linden, small-leaved. Tilia europoea parvifolia. 
Linden, Weeping. Tilia europoea pendula. 
Linden, white. Tilia alba. 
Lohlolly, hay. Grordonia Lasianthus. 
Locust, honey. Grleditschia triacanthus. 
Locust, yellow. E-obinia pseud-acacia. 
Locust, clammy. Robinia viscosa. 
Locust, yellow large-leaved. Kobinia macrophylla. 
Locust, yellow twisted. Robinia tortuosa. 
Magnolia, blue. Magnolia acuminata. 
Magnolia, Chinese. Magnolia conspicua. 
Magnolia, early. Magnolia grandiflora prascox. 
Magnolia, heart-leaved. Magnolia cordata. 
Magnolia, large-fiowered. Magnolia grandiflora. 



liS'DEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 249 

Magnolia, long ear-leaved. Magnolia auriculata. 
Magnolia, long-leaved swamp. Magnolia glauca 

longifoliar. 
Magnolia, large-leaved. Magnolia macrophylla. 
Magnolia, Soulange^ s. Magnolia Soulangeana. 
Magnolia, swamp. Magnolia glauca. 
Magnolia, Thompson's. IMagnolia grandiflora 

Thompsoniana. 
Magnolia, umhrella. Magnolia tripetala. 
Magnolia, Tulan. Magnolia conspicua. 
Maiden hair tree. Salisburia adiantifolia. 
Maple, ash-leaved. Negundo aceroides. 
Maple, hlack sugar. Acer nigrum. 
Maple, English. Acer campestre. 
Maple, moozeioood. Acer striatum. 
Maple, mountain. Acer montanum. 
Maple, Norway. Acer platanoides. 
Maple, red. Acer rubrum. 
Maple, silver. Acer dasycarpum. 
Maple, striped hark. Acer striatum. 
Maple, sugar. Acer saccharinum. 
Maple, sicamp. Acer rubrum. 
Maple, sycamore. Acer pseudo-platanus. 
Mist tree. Rhus cotinus. 
Mulberry, hlack. Morus nigra. 
Mulberry, paper. Broussonetia papyrifera. 
Mulberry, red. Morus rubra. 
Mulberry, ichite. Morus alba. 



250 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

Nettle tree. Celtis occidentalis. 

Nettle tree, thick-leaved. Celtis crassifolia. 

Oak, Barhary. Quercus ballota. 

Oak, Bartram. Quercus heterophylla. 

Oak, black. Quercus tinctoria. 

Oak, black jack. Quercus nigra. 

Oalc, British. Quercus robur. 

Oak, burr. Quercus macrocarpa. 

Oak, chestnut. Quercus castanea. 

Oak, chestnut white. Quercus prinus. 

Oak, cork tree. Quercus suber. 

Oak, lyrate-leaved. Quercus lyrata. 

Oak, olive fruited. Quercus olivseformis. 

Oak, overcufp lohite. Quercus macrocarpa. 

OaJc, pine. Quercus palustris. 

Oak, post. Quercus obtusiloba. 

Oak, quercitron. Quercus tinctoria. 

Oak, red. Quercus rubra. 

Oak, scarlet. Quercus coccinea. 

Oak, sessile-fruited, British. Quercus sessiliflora. 

Oak, Spanish. Quercus falcata. 

Oak, swamp white. Quercus bicolor. 

Oak, Turkey. Quercus cerris. 

Oak, ivater. Quercus aquatica. 

Oak, water white. Quercus Ijrata. 

Oak, white. Quercus alba. 

Oak, willow. Quercus phellos. 

Oleaster. Elaeagnus hortensis. 



INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 251 

Osage orange. Madura aurantiaca. 

Pa^aiD. Anon a triloba. 

Paulownia. Paulownia imperialis. 

Pavia, dwarf. Pavia macrostachya. 

Peach, douhle-hlossom. Amygdalus persica, fl. pi. 

Pei'simmon. Diospyros virginiana. 

Pinej Aleppo. Pinus halapensis. 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 

Pine 



Chili. Araucaria imbricata. 

dwarf. Pinus pumilio. 

frankincense. Pinus taeda. 

gigantic. Pinus Lambertiana. 

heavy-wooded. Pinus ponderosa. 

Italian stone. Pinus pinea. 

Jersey. Pinus inops. 

lohlolly. Pinus taeda. 

lofty or Bhotan. Pinus excelsa. 

pinaster. Pinus pinaster. 

pitch. Pinus rigida. 

Scotch. Pinus sylvestris. 

sea. Pinus maritima. 

Southern sivamp. Pinus palustris. 

Swiss stone. Pinus cembra. 

white. Pinus strobus. 

yellow. Pinus mitis. 
Plum, American red. Prunus americana. 
Plum, seaside. Prunus maritima. 
Pedlar, abele. Populus alba. 
Poplar J American aspen. Populus tremuloides. 



252 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

Poplar J Athenian. Populus grseca. 

Poplar, Lalsam. Populus balsamifera. 

Poplar, Canadian. Populus canadensis. 

Poplar, Cottonwood. Populus angulata. 

Poplar, gray. Populus canescens. 

Poplar, large American aspen. Populus grandi- 

dentata. 
poplar, Lomhardy. Populus dilatata. 
Poplar, Ontario. Populus candicans. 
Ptelea. Ptelea trifoliata. 
Pyrus, snow-leaved. Pyrus nivalis. 
Roican. Pyrus aucuparia. 
Sassafras. Laurus sassafras. 
Service-tree, wild. Pyrus torminalis. 
Shad flower. Amelanchier botryapium. 
Snowdrop tree. Halesia tetraptera. 
Soplwra, Japan. Sophora japonica. 
Sophora, weeping. Sophora japonica pendula. 
Sorhus or service tree. Pyrus domestica. 
Sorrel tree. Andromeda arborea. 
Sour gum. Myssa multiflora. 
Spindle tree, hroad-leaved. Euonymus latifolius. 
Spindle tree, dark purple. E. atro-purpureus. 
Spindle tree, European. E. europasus. 
Spruce, hlack. Abies nigra. 
Spruce, Douglass's. Abies Douglassii. 
Spruce, hemlock. Abies canadensis. 
Spruce, morinda. Abies Smithiana. 



INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 253 

Spruce, Norway. Abies excelsa. 
Spruce, Smith's Htmalayan. Abies Smithiana. 
Storax, large-leaved. Styrax grandifolium. 
Sumach, poison. Rhus venenata. 
Sumach, Stag's horn. Rhus typhina. 
Sweet gum. Liquidambar styraciflua. • 

Toothache tree. Xanthoxylon fraxineum. 
Tree of Heaven. Ailantus glandulosa. 
Tulip tree. Liriodendron tulipifera. 
Tupelo. Nyssa multiflora. 
Walnut, black. Juglans nigra. 
Walnut, English. Juglans regia. 
Walnut, white. Juglans cinerea. 
Willow, Bedford. Salix Russelliana. 
Willow, black. Salix nigra. 
Willow, crack. Salix fragilis. 
Willoiv, Crowe's. Salix Croweana. 
Willow, curled. Salix babylonica annularis. 
Willow, daphne. Salix daphnoides. 
Willow, Forby's. Salix Forbyana. 
Willow, Forsters. Salix Forsteriana. 
Willow, goat. Salix caprea. 
Willow, hairy. Salix hirta. 
Willow, large-leaved. Salix acuminata. 
Willow, osier or twiggy. Salix viminalis. 
Willow, Pomeranian. Salix pomeranica. 
Willow, red. Salix rubra. 
WiUoio, round-leaved. Salix rotundata. 
22 



254 INDEX OF ENGLISH NAMES. 

Willow J shining. Salix pentandra. 

Willow, weeping. Salix babylonica. 

Willow, white. Salix alba. 

Willow, white Welsh. Salix decipiens. 

Witch hazel. Hamamelis virginica. 

l^Iloio luood. Virgilia lutea. 

Yew, acorn. Taxus nucifera. 

Yetv, Canadian. Taxus canadensis. 

Yew, English. Taxus baccata. 

Yew, Irish. Taxus baccata fastigiata. 

Yew, silver variegated. Taxus baccata elegantis- 

sima. 
Yew, weeping. Taxus baccata pendula, or Taxus 

Dovastoni. 



APPENDIX. 



Plants recently introduced into cultivation, or which 
have not come under the personal observation of the 
author. 

Abies alba. 

Abies dumosa. 

Abies gigantea. 

Abies Menziesii. 

Abies obovata. 

Acer circinatum. 

Acer obtusatum. 

Acer opalus. 

iEsculus hippocastanum, double-flowered. 

iEsculus laciniatum. 

Alnus glutinosa. 

Alnus laciniata. 

Alnus serrulata. 

Amelanchier florida. 

Betula excelsa. 

Betula papyracea. 

Castanea vesca asplenifolia. 

Castanea vesca laciniata. 

Chionanthus maritima. 

Cornus paniculata. 

Crataegus Layi. 



256 APPENDIX 

Crataegus orientalis. 

Cryptomeria Lobbiana. 

Elceagnus flava. 

Elseagnus parviflora. 

Fagus sylvatica macropbylla. 

Fraxinus excelsior argentea. 

Juglans regia laciniata. 

Jiiniperus phoenicia. 

Larix Griffithii. 

Larix Tyrolosa. 

Ornus Europseus. 

Ornus latifolius. 

Picea PindroV. 

Picea pinsapo. 

Picea Webbiana. 

Pinus Austriaca. 

Pinus Coulterii. 
Pinus Gerardiana. 
Pinus Hartwegii. 
Pinus insignis. 
Pinus Laricio. 
Pinus Massoni. 
Pinus monticola. 
Planera Richardii. 
Platanus acerifolia. 
Platanus palmata. 
Platanus pyramidalis. 
Populus acerifolia. 
Populus cordifolia. 
Populus heterophylla. 
Populus heterophylla pendula. 
Pterocarya caucasica. 



^ii'lr j£ 



APPENDIX. 257 



Pyrus lanuginosa. 
Pyrus orientalis. 
Pyrus rivularis. 
Pyrus salicifolia. 
Pyrus variolosa. 
Pyrus vestita. 
Salix Candida. 
Salix fusca (grafted). 
Torreya taxifolia. 



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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 




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